From Atebara’s to Hawai’i Island Gourmet Products

The Atebara Potato Chip Company was founded by Raymond Atebara in 1936. It did not take long for Atebara potato chips to become a local favorite. During World War II when the rationing of potatoes threatened the family business, Raymond relied on locally grown Taro to keep the supply of snack chips available to the community. The 1946 tsunami destroyed the original factory, but this did not stop Raymond from relocating the business to Manono Street, where the chips are still made today. In 1979, Raymond retired and son Walter took the helm. He soon introduced Sweet Potato chips, and later, Shrimp flavored chips were also added to the variety of snacks offered. Walter ran the company for over 20 years following the Atebara tradition of making quality products.

In 2002, the Atebara Potato Chip Company was purchased by two local business partners not wanting something so uniquely “Hilo” to disappear. Lana’i born Clyde Oshiro, who moved to Hilo in the early 1970’s, and son-in-law Nimr Tamimi, a Hilo native, formed Hawai’i Island Gourmet Products. They decided to maintain the special “Kettle Cooked” process that ensures Atebara’s potato, taro, sweet potato, and shrimp chips to be light, crispy, and so wonderfully tasty. Clyde and Nimr introduced new products including yellow and blue corn tortilla chips. Cookies and chocolates that incorporate crunchy bits of chips soon followed, and research and development continues on new varieties of chips, cookies, and chocolates.

• Customer Service Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm HST & Sat 10am-4pm HST, Closed Sun
• Phone: (808) 969-9600
• Fax available 24hours: (808) 961-9116
• Web: http://www.hawaiichips.com/
• Mailing Address: 717 Manono Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720