Koehnen’s Interiors

Koehnen’s Interiors has deep roots in Hilo and the home furnishings store has survived more extreme challenges than most—two tsunamis, four floods, several sugar strikes and all of the fluctuating economies since 1929!

Karyl Franks, manager, tells the story: “My Grandfather, F.W. Koehnen, started the business on May 13, 1929, when he purchased the assets of Hill Optical Company from W. H. Hill. The emphasis was immediately changed from being predominately an optical shop to the retailing of jewelery and giftware, including fine china, silver and crystal. The furniture business was started by my father, Carl E. Rohner in 1947. The family purchased our present location in 1957 and the  jewelry department was eliminated in 1979 with the retirement of my mother, Helie H. Rohner.”

The Koehnen’s building, at the corner of Kamehameha and Waianuenue Avenues, had stood vacant for years when the store outgrew its previous location. “The sentimental part of purchasing this building,” says Franks, “was the fact that my grandfather immigated from Germany to work for Hackfeld & company, which built the facility.”

Franks was born into the business, being the third generation to run it, she says. Born and raised in Hilo, she left in 1963, then returned to work with the business in 1994.

Koehnen’s serves a lot of repeat customers, as well as new homeowners. They have recently renovated the showroom and installed a design center. It offers the services of ASID Allied Interior Designer Bridget Paulson to apply her years of experience and talent for colors  and design. She recently returned to Hilo from the mainland.

“We strive to find unique items that are well made—and made to last a long time,” says Franks.
Koehnen’s Interiors is located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., downtown Hilo.