Pacific Marine & Supply Co. History
Source: https://pacmarhawaii.com/about/ Type: Company website - About/History page Accessed: 2024-11-24 Reliability: High (primary source from company itself)
Summary
The Pacific Marine & Supply Co. website’s history page provides an official account of the company’s founding and evolution over 80 years. It documents the founding by Fred and Alyce Loui in 1944, the transition after Fred’s sudden death in 1969, and the transformation under Steven Loui’s leadership beginning in 1972.
Key Information Extracted
Founding (1944)
- Founders: Fred Loui and Alyce Loui (both listed as co-founders)
- Year: 1944
- Context: World War II era, Hawaii as Pacific naval hub
- Initial business: Ship repair and marine supply
Fred Loui’s Leadership (1944-1969)
- Led company for 25 years
- Died suddenly in 1969
- Built foundation of maritime services business
Alyce Loui’s Leadership (1969-1972)
- Assumed leadership after Fred’s sudden death
- Maintained company for three years
- Transitioned to son Steven in 1972
Steven Loui’s Transformation (1972-present)
- Education: Stanford University, engineering degree
- Return: Rejoined family business in 1972
- Strategy: “Determined to survive the boom-and-bust cycles of ship repair, he initiates an ambitious strategy of trade specialization and market diversification”
- Growth: Company spawned over 20 subsidiary companies
- Subsidiaries mentioned:
- HSI Mechanical, Inc. (founded 1974)
- PacMar Technologies (founded 1978) - “major innovator in advanced ship research and development”
- Impact: Subsidiaries became integral to Hawaii’s economy
Significance for Family History
This source is crucial for documenting the Fred Loui branch of the family:
- Business Legacy: Shows multi-generational business building (Fred → Alyce → Steven)
- Partnership Marriage: Alyce listed as co-founder, not just Fred’s wife
- Women’s Leadership: Alyce’s interim leadership 1969-1972
- Educational Investment: Steven’s Stanford engineering degree
- Strategic Thinking: Steven’s diversification strategy
- Economic Impact: 20+ subsidiaries, integral to Hawaii economy
- Chinese-American Success: Post-WWII immigrant family business success story
Connections to Loui Family Tree
Direct Family
- Fred Loui: Co-founder, leader 1944-1969, older brother of Wallace Loui
- Alyce Loui: Co-founder, leader 1969-1972, married to Fred
- Steven Loui: Third-generation leader, son of Fred and Alyce
Extended Family
- Wallace Loui (Fred’s younger brother): Thoracic surgeon, different career path
- Wallace’s sons: First cousins once removed to Steven
- Warren Loui: Also entrepreneur (Cardinal Rule Wines)
- Ronald Loui: Computer science professor
Generational Position
- Fred & Alyce: Generation -1 (grandparents’ generation relative to Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha)
- Steven: Generation 0 (parents’ generation relative to Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha)
- Fred’s brother Wallace: Generation 0 (same as Fred)
- Wallace’s son Warren: Generation 1 (parents of Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha)
Historical Context
Post-WWII Hawaii
- 1944: Company founded during WWII Pacific theater operations
- 1959: Hawaii becomes state (15 years after founding)
- 1969: Fred dies, Alyce takes over during post-statehood maturation
- 1972: Steven returns during post-Vietnam economic transition
Maritime Industry
- WWII: Naval dominance, heavy ship repair demand
- 1950s-1960s: Commercial shipping growth
- 1970s: Economic uncertainty, “boom-and-bust cycles”
- Steven’s solution: Diversification beyond maritime core
What This Source Reveals
Business Acumen
The level of detail about Steven’s strategic thinking (“trade specialization and market diversification”) suggests:
- Company values strategic planning
- Proud of transformation story
- Emphasizes innovation and adaptation
Family Values
The three-generation narrative emphasizes:
- Continuity and legacy
- Family business tradition
- Honoring founders while evolving
- Generational transfer of values
Gender Dynamics
Alyce’s prominent role:
- Listed as co-founder (equal billing with Fred)
- Leadership during transition
- Not relegated to “supportive wife” role
- Suggests progressive gender attitudes
Limitations
What this source doesn’t tell us:
- Exact dates (month/day) for key events
- Financial details (revenues, growth rates)
- Challenges and setbacks
- Family dynamics and personal relationships
- Other family members’ involvement
- Fred and Alyce’s backgrounds before business
- Steven’s siblings (if any)
- Current ownership structure
Follow-Up Research Needed
Based on this source, investigate:
- Fred Loui’s birth/death dates (exact)
- Alyce Loui’s maiden name and background
- How Fred and Alyce met
- Other children of Fred and Alyce besides Steven
- Steven’s current status and role
- Full list of 20+ subsidiaries
- Next generation (Steven’s children) involvement
- Relationship between Fred and Wallace Loui branches
Related People
- Fred Loui
- Alyce Loui
- Steven Loui
- Wallace Loui (Fred’s brother, for context)
- Warren Loui (Wallace’s son, Steven’s first cousin once removed)
Related Events
- 1944: Founding of Pacific Marine & Supply Co.
- 1969: Death of Fred Loui
- 1972: Steven Loui rejoins company
- 1974: HSI Mechanical, Inc. founded
- 1978: PacMar Technologies founded
Related Places
- Hawaii (company location)
- Stanford University (Steven’s education)