Longs Drugs Grand Opening in Pahala Today

A blessing was held this morning in Pahala for a new Longs Drugs pharmacy, which opened in the former Tex Drive-In restaurant location within the Pahala Shopping Center.

The store officially opened today after the 8:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony.

According to the Ka`u Calendar, prior to Longs opening, the only other pharmacies in Pahala were in Ka`u Hospital or area clinics.

In addition to fulfilling prescriptions, the pharmacy will offer health and beauty products and snacks.

Pharmacist Leona Goda will manage the new Longs Drugs pharmacy that opened today in Pahala. Photo credit: Julia Neal.

Pharmacist Leona Goda, who has a decade of experience working for Longs Drugs in Hawaii, is the pharmacy manager for the new store, according to the newspaper.

A former senior medical writer for DoMed Communications, Goda received her pharmacy degree from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Penn.

Architectural firm PSM of Emeryville, Calif., designed the renovated store, while the Hatch Group, a national commercial contracting firm with offices in California, served as project manager.

Island-based contractors Taylor Built Construction Company Inc. also participated in building the new store.

Hours for the new pharmacy are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. It is closed Sunday.