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It may not be apparent at first glance, but hula supplies are a global, multimillion-dollar business.
That's according to Syl Kop, who inherited the Hula Supply Center from her father-in-law, B.K. Kop. Husband-and-wife team Syl and Mike Kop run the shop at the corner of S. King and Isenberg streets to carry out a legacy that began in 1946.
Syl Kop estimates that between servicing up to 250 schools in Hawaii, Plus 250 halau - hula schools - along with a catalog and Web site, the Hula Supply Center has become a multi million -dollar business.
It's a business that, comes from the heart.
Until she got out of high school, Kop says she wasn't immersed in Hawaiian culture even though she was born and raised here.
"I had no idea what a rich, passionate place we live in," she said. "It's about getting back to the roots. All of Lis are coming from that golden age, and discovering what a wealth of wonderful culture we have growing up from this aina."
The hula implements come from tip to 50 local handcrafters, but the Kops also buy goods from more than 200...