Mrs. Kosasa and husband, Sidney, opened their fi rst drug store in Kaimuki in December 1949. They continued to expand the drug store business and by 1963 had 7 stores. While traveling to Miami for a convention in 1964, they had a vision of Waikiki’s future. The fi rst ABC Store was opened on Kalakaua Avenue in May 1964. Today, there are over 70 stores operating in Hawaii, Las Vegas, Guam, and Saipan.

Mrs. Kosasa was born in Sacramento, California. She attended Sacramento Junior College, and in 1943 was interned at Tule Lake
relocation camp where she married Sidney. The couple met while Sidney was a boarder at Minnie’s family home.

Mrs. Kosasa and Sidney moved to Hawaii and had four children, Tom, Susan, Gloria and Paul. While running the fi nancial operations of ABC Stores, she raised their children, was involved in various community affairs, and still found the time to partake in many hobbies including quilting, sewing, needlepoint, golfi ng, and driving fast sports cars. She was a past member of the Nuuanu Congregational Church, Hawaii Quilt Guild and the Waialae Country Club.

As co-founder of the Kosasa Foundation, Minnie and Sidney Kosasa and Family were recognized as Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Aloha Chapter in 2013.

Also in 2013, Minnie & Sidney were inducted into the Hawaii Food Industry Association’s Hall of Fame and given the Lifetime Achievement Award.