Ownership

Owner Benefits

Download the Owner's Brochure (PDF) and the Owner's Application Form (PDF).

Owner Only Specials
Each month we offer our owners a significant price advantage on promoted items in the store. You can identify them in the store by their shelf tags.

Household Shoppers
Kokua owners can have up to two household shoppers listed on their card. These household shoppers receive the same owner-only discounts offered in the store.

Owner Discounts
A unique and fun way to contribute to our business success is by volunteering to work in the store – for as little as three hours per week on a regular basis.

You'll learn the different functions in the store and assist staff with cleaning, bagging, bulk re-packaging, deli and produce work. You may find yourself working with products on the shelf (called “facing”) to make them visually attractive, and interacting with customer/owners. You'll also be working alongside some great staff!

How do you become a volunteer work owner? Easy...just ask a cashier or floor manager for a “volunteer work owner form”. We'll get in touch with you and invite you to an orientation to explain how it works. Once you're set up, we'll find a regular schedule for your work hours, and you can get underway.

 Volunteer owner workers receive a 15% discount on their Kokua purchases for every week they work. (Note: Owners who sign up under Plan B share payment plan must be current in their dues in order to receive the 15% discount.)

Special Orders
If you'd like a product that is not in the store, as long as we can obtain it, we'll be happy to special order it for you. Also, if you'd like items in our bulk bins, i.e., beans, rice, nuts, etc., we can special order them too. Owners who special order items by case will receive a 10% discount.

Discount Movie Tickets
Kokua buys movie tickets from Consolidated Theaters for our membership. Owners can buy them at $6.75 each.

Newsletter
Kokua's last paper newsletter was sent out in October of 2009. We have moved to a more environment friendly electronic newsletter and our website to keep our owners informed.

Currently, our electronic newsletter is published monthly, and includes information about Kokua, store and owner events, and other items of interest. Owners who wish to advertise can contact us at owners@kokua.coop.

Car Insurance
Don't we all look for ways to reduce our car insurance? Kokua can help! After one year of ownership, you will be eligible for Kokua's group auto insurance plan offered through Hawaii Insurance Consultants. They are currently offering Farmer's car insurance, and can be reached at 544-3944.

Hawaii Central Credit Union
Kokua owners are eligible to join Hawaii Central Credit Union, a banking cooperative here on Oahu. They offer no-fee checking, debit cards, ATM, low interest loans, and so much more. Call them at 536-3677 or visit their website at http://www.hccu.info.

Annual Ownership Dinner and Meeting
Each year in March or April, we hold our Annual Owners Meeting. This dinner-meeting is a once-a-year special event, catered with foods from our own deli. It's a great way to meet other owners, talk with our Board of Directors or those running for the Board, and discuss the past year's store performance.

Co-op Discounts
Based on the 6th cooperative principle, Kokua Market honors other retail cooperatives, and their owners will receive owner benefits, including owner prices.

Ownership of Your Own Business
As an owner of Kokua, you are an owner of the cooperative, and as an owner you have certain rights and responsibilities in the running of the business.

Each year, the owners elect a Board of Directors from a slate of interested owners who want to serve. As an owner you have a vote in these elections. You may have an interest yourself in running for the Board, or in serving on one of the Board's Committees.

Owners are also asked periodically to vote on major issues that affect the future of Kokua. Voting, running for the Board of Directors, or serving on a committee are some of the most tangible ways members exercise their control over their own business. Please contact us at board@kokua.coop if you are interested in getting involved.

If you have any questions about your benefits as an owner, call us at 941-1922 and ask for Owner Services or email us at owners@kokua.coop. We're here to help.

Cooperative Principles

(Adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance in 1995)

1. Voluntary and open membership

2. Democratic member control

3. Member economic participation

4. Autonomy and independence

5. Education, training, and information

6. Cooperation among cooperatives

7. Concern for community

Updated 3/11