Alyce Loui

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Vital Information

• Spouse: Fred Loui (married by 1944, widowed 1969)
• Children: Steven Loui
• Occupation: Business owner, co-founder of Pacific Marine & Supply Co.

Business Career

Pacific Marine & Supply Co. (1944-1972+)

Co-Founder (1944)

In 1944, Alyce and her husband Fred Loui co-founded Pacific Marine & Supply Co., a ship repair and marine supply business in Hawaii. This was during World War II, when Hawaii was a critical naval hub in the Pacific theater.

As co-founder, Alyce was involved from the company’s inception, working alongside Fred to build the business during the crucial post-WWII years.

Leadership After Fred’s Death (1969-1972)

When Fred died suddenly in 1969, Alyce stepped into leadership of the company. For three years (1969-1972), she maintained and operated the business during a critical transition period.

Her leadership ensured business continuity until their son Steven Loui was ready to rejoin the family business in 1972 after completing his engineering degree at Stanford.

Legacy

Alyce’s role in both founding and sustaining Pacific Marine & Supply Co. was essential to creating the foundation for what would become a major Hawaiian business empire under Steven’s later leadership (20+ subsidiary companies).

Family

Marriage

Alyce married Fred Loui, the older brother of Wallace Loui (the thoracic surgeon). Fred was born in Hawaii to Chinese immigrant parents Heong Poo Loui and Alicia Loui.

Children

• Steven Loui - Stanford-educated engineer who transformed Pacific Marine into diversified enterprise

Extended Family

As sister-in-law to Wallace Loui, Alyce is aunt by marriage to:

• Michael Loui
• Warren Loui - Attorney, winemaker, USC Law professor
• William Loui
• Ronald Loui - Computer scientist, professor
• Terrence Loui (deceased)

Timeline

File	type	date	location

Sources

• Pacific Marine Supply Co History

Notes

Alyce Loui’s story represents an important chapter in Chinese-American business history in Hawaii:

1. WWII-Era Entrepreneurship: Co-founding a maritime business during wartime (1944)
2. Partnership Marriage: Working alongside husband as business partner
3. Women in Business: Leading a male-dominated maritime industry as widow (1969-1972)
4. Family Business Continuity: Bridging leadership between husband and son
5. Long-term Impact: Her stewardship preserved the business for generational growth

The fact that she’s listed as co-founder (not just Fred’s wife) suggests she was an active business partner from the start, not merely a supportive spouse.

Historical Context

Women in Post-WWII Business

Alyce’s role as co-founder in 1944 was notable for the era:

• Few women were business owners in the 1940s
• Maritime/industrial businesses were especially male-dominated
• Chinese-American women faced both gender and racial barriers
• Her partnership with Fred suggests progressive attitudes in their marriage

Widowed Leadership (1969-1972)

When Fred died in 1969, Alyce’s three years of leadership occurred during:

• Post-Vietnam economic uncertainty
• Changing maritime industry
• Hawaii’s maturation as a state (10 years post-statehood)
• Her son completing his Stanford engineering degree

Her ability to maintain the business during this transition was crucial to its survival and later success.

Research Needed

• Maiden name
• Birth date and place
• Death date (if deceased)
• Current status as of 2024
• Parents and family background
• How she met Fred Loui
• Marriage date
• Other children besides Steven
• Education
• Specific role in founding Pacific Marine (operations, finance, etc.)
• Role during Fred’s lifetime (1944-1969)
• Specific role during leadership years (1969-1972)
• When she stepped back from leadership
• Relationship with son Steven’s business decisions
• Relationship with Wallace Loui family
• Community involvement
• Cultural/ethnic background