Martin & MacArthur Rocks
With the opening of its flagship and new concept store in Ward Centre, Martin & MacArthur is branching out, and CEO Michael Tam says it’s not just a koa furniture company, but a lifestyle company with a focus on furniture and furnishings made right here in the Islands. Michael Tam has a vision to make venerable Martin & MacArthur about much more than koa furniture. Say “fine koa furniture” and most local residents would think Martin & MacArthur.
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original photographs of the Hawaiian Islands dating back 120 years, authentic Webber engravings from Captain Cook’s voyages and original images of Hawaiian monarchs.
Want an original picture taken at the overthrow of the monarchy, or original artwork of the Hawaiian Islands by Japanese-French artist Paul Jacoulet? You’ll find it at Martin & MacArthur.
Naturally, these ancillary pieces go beautifully with koa furnishings.
Add to that dining and kitchen connoisseur items, bath and skin-care products by Malie and Kopa Haiku exclusively, and you get the drift of Tam’s “gracious Hawaiian living” brand positioning.
Marketers have another word for it: consumer relevancy.
This is what a business must have to survive in the 21st century. It means having a meaningful connection with customers based on dignity and respect of their needs. It’s the basis of a longterm relationship.
“When Island residents walk into our store today, compared to a year ago, they will feel it is their place because it is not a store that represents Hawaii to tourists. It is full of fine furniture and beautiful home furnishings that are perfect for living in Hawaii,” he states. “We are not mementos of a trip to Hawaii. But rather we are fine quality, hand-crafted merchandise for those who want and appreciate the lifestyle of gracious Hawaiian living.”
That certainly does not exclude visitors as a target market, although residents make up 90 percent of its loyal customers.
With more than half of Hawaii’s tourists now repeat guests, some with real estate investments in timeshares and second homes, it is an important demographic target. Like residents, these visitors know and appreciate native species such as koa, the largest endemic tree in Hawaii.
There’s another demographic shift that Martin & MacArthur is addressing.
“Hawaii’s aging population means smaller households, with empty nesters moving into condos and downsizing,” Tam says. “These residents want the flexibility of having koa furniture in addition to other furniture that they’ve collected over the years. So we have to be adaptable.”
Giving back to the community is another relationship-building premise. The company has charitable alliances with Palama Settlement, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Iolani Palace.
He concludes, “We want to represent not simply koa furniture, but the lifestyle of living well and elegantly in Hawaii. Living graciously is not an entitlement only to people who have money. It’s a state of mind.”
Want to enhance your interior design and state of mind? Consider Martin & MacArthur’s Founder’s Day koa furniture sale, Sept. 10-20, at all stores. Tell them Michael Tam sent you.
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