Got Holiday Gifts? It’s A Wrap

Tisha and Sheila Sugano
Photo courtesy Sheila Sugano

Owner Sheila Sugano started her business 20 years ago and now offers an array of island-inspired items, including paper and cello gift bags, roll wrap, basket bags, gift boxes and stationary products.

“I once represented Mainland companies, which sold cello treat bags, gift wrap and packaging. We noticed how the locals had a yen for giving away treats and small gifts in the cello bags, and decided to have them printed with local designs,” says Sugano, who also works as a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines. “The response (to our products) was wonderful. We found customers were hungry for products with the island and Hawaiian motif.”

A family-run business, Great Lines Hawaii operates out of a warehouse in Kalihi designed for wholesale trade, where the company’s products are sold to stores and businesses. According to Sugano, basket and food businesses are always looking for new and different ways to present products.

You can visit GreatLinesHawaii.com to make online purchases.

“Customers tell us they love our designs and our comparatively lower prices,” Sugano states, adding that stationary, gift packaging and wraps sell from about 79 cents to $5 in retail stores.

Despite the continued success of Great Lines Hawaii, for Sugano, working with her family is the utmost reward.

“If my late husband, Reggie, didn’t step in with his business acumen, we would still be treating this operation like a hobby instead of a full-fledged business,” she says. “It’s great when family can spend so much time together. We laugh together, play together and we stress together. Even our dogs come to work with us. Now our daughter Tisha is stepping up to the plate to take on more responsibilities her dad once performed. It’s quite a challenge. There doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.”

Change is inevitable, so in keeping with the times, Great Lines Hawaii is dedicated to improving its product while keeping its standards high, working to ensure that a premier level of professional and personalized service is what you’ll always receive.

“Every aspect of life and business is changing so furiously,” Sugano confirms. “The chain stores we deal with have implemented a myriad of changes and it is a challenge to keep up with all of them.

“It is said if one cannot keep up with the train one must get off. In life, one can only expect change, and like other small businesses, we must work hard to keep on the train.”

For more information, visit GreatLinesHawaii.com.