Kenworth Hawaii recently celebrated the grand opening of its second location — an 11,000 sq.-ft. parts and service dealership on the east side of the Big Island.
“Kenworth Hawaii–Hilo, our second location, offers our customers on the windward side of the Big Island a more convenient option for their parts and service needs,” says Kevin Balog, Kenworth Hawaii dealer principal. “Though the distance between our two locations is 75 miles, it can still take two hours or more to drive from Hilo to Kailua-Kona. Traffic and inclement weather on the windward side of the island can further complicate our customers’ efforts in getting parts and service support. With this location, we can provide faster and more convenient service that doesn’t require truck fleets and operators to give up a full day of productivity whenever they need to have a truck serviced.”
Balog says with the growing focus on powertrains, emission controls and diagnostics in trucks, Big Island truck owners and fleets need the continuing commitments and support that Kenworth Hawaii can offer. The factory training that Paccar offers dealers for its Paccar engines, transmissions and axles and the training Kenworth offers dealers for Kenworth TruckTech+ provides Kenworth Hawaii technicians a solid foundation from which to offer customers highly trained expert service.
“Kenworth Hawaii is a family owned business and the only OEM truck dealer on the Big Island. Our customers benefit from our inventory of new Kenworth heavy- and medium-duty trucks, service with factory-trained technicians, parts support through Paccar Parts and truck financing from Paccar Financial,” Balog says.
The Hilo dealership, located at 110 Holomua St., offers customers two service bays, a 2,000 sq.-ft. parts display area, and 3,600 sq.-ft. parts warehouse. The dealership is located in an industrial park off of Hawaii Highway 11, a major route connecting Hilo and the windward side of the island to Kailua-Kona and the leeward side of the island. Kenworth Hawaii invested $1 million into remodeling the Hilo and Kailua-Kona dealerships.
The remodeled Hilo location features a new customer lounge complete with recliners, work stations and Wi-Fi access. The team at the Hilo location is led by Leslie Boteliho, store manager. The service manager for Kenworth Hawaii–Hilo is Chris Harris, who also manages the service department at the Kailua-Kona dealership.
More than 75 customers, plus local officials and company dignitaries from Kenworth and Paccar, attended the grand opening of Kenworth Hawaii–Hilo. Earlier this year, Kenworth Hawaii held its grand opening for its first location in Kailua-Kona.
