Longs Drugs (CVS Hawaii)

Hawaii’s Trusted Health and Wellness Partner

Weaving Community and Care into Generations of Service

 

Longs Drugs, also known as CVS Hawaii, boasts a profound and enduring history deeply embedded in the fabric of the Hawaiian Islands.

For generations, Longs has served as the preferred pharmacy and a vital provider of everyday essentials, seamlessly integrated into the local culture and every community it touches.

Even after its inclusion into the CVS brand, it is still affectionately recognized as a cherished community pillar due to its demonstrable impact on the lives of Hawaii’s residents.

Since that inclusion, Longs has significantly increased its ability to focus on initiatives that benefit its long-term growth as a company, like the strategic expansion of its physical footprint.

As evidenced by the opening of new store locations in Kapolei and Honolulu, Longs Drugs has never been better equipped to provide the Hawaiian Islands with excellent, accessible healthcare than it is today.

Furthermore, Longs Drugs has made strong investments in its integrated supply chain, including an on-island distribution center and flexible freight policies.

Collaborations with key partners, including Hawaiian Sun, Aloha Gourmet, Eight Point, Pint Size, and Marlin Distributors, have ensured nimble and cost-effective product delivery, which is crucial for serving an isolated market.

At its core, Longs’ stable operation is rooted in its unparalleled customer relationships and its people-first culture.

The company continuously invests in professional development pathways, from store associate to pharmacist, to keep its workforce dedicated, skilled, and well-cared-for.

Fortunately, this people-first culture extends to the entire community, not just employees, as showcased during the pandemic with Longs offering through drive-through immunization events, highlighting not only its adaptability but also its commitment to proactively meeting community needs.

In fact, it’s proactive community involvement, through partnerships with charitable non-profits, that reinforces Longs’ role beyond retail.

Ultimately, Longs Drugs has emerged as a perpetually thriving enterprise that remains Hawaii’s most trusted, accessible, and beloved health and wellness partner, generation after generation.

What further innovations will unfold as Longs continues to set the standard for community-centric healthcare in the Pacific?

It’s time to discover how Longs Drugs is forever changing how islanders access their well-being.

Unrivaled Accessibility and an Unyielding Philosophy

Longs Drugs’ core mission and vision center on keeping communities healthy, safe, and protected from illness, while also providing essential grocery and food provisions.

This deep-rooted focus on local needs is foundational to Longs’ identity, setting it apart as more than just a retailer.

“We’ve been taking care of our customers and patients for multiple generations, so it’s known to many that we are the pharmacy of choice here locally… We have a very passionate group of pharmacists helping our patients as front store colleagues who work tirelessly to meet the everyday needs of our customers,” says Regional Director Scott Sutton.

However, what truly differentiates Longs Drugs within the competitive healthcare and retail landscape of Hawaii is its unparalleled accessibility and deeply personal approach.

With a store in virtually every neighborhood, Longs brings convenience and vital access to healthcare services, ensuring it’s always just a short distance from every household.

This expansive physical presence is then complemented by an equally convenient digital presence, leveraging powerful platforms like the CVS app and Longs.com.

This way, Longs can elevate its service and meet the evolving needs of all customers, from the digitally native generation to Hawaii’s cherished kupuna (senior citizens).

However, the most significant differentiator lies in Longs’ people-first philosophy.

“It’s not uncommon for our pharmacists to know the insights about their patients’ everyday lives, their kids, or even grandkids. We’ve served them for generations, so with that comes a deep history and relationships that we have with them,” Sutton warmly explains.

To the dedicated professionals at Longs Drugs, these kinds of connections are a true honor. To ensure that more of its workforce experiences these personal interactions, the company rigorously invests in the growth and development of its employees.

The company invests heavily in its employees, listening to their feedback and fostering growth opportunities, which in turn reinforces a culture of strong support for its customers and patients.

“We invest a lot of energy and effort into helping our colleagues’ progress from a career development standpoint. We offer numerous opportunities for our colleagues to progress from store associate to pharmacy technician, to pharmacy intern, and ultimately to pharmacists,” says Pharmacy District Manager Nick Ferreira.

Ferreira, in fact, is a prime example of Longs’ incredible growth tracts, being that he is a pharmacist who has advanced even further into his current role as District Manager.

Proactive Local Sourcing and Community Health Initiatives

Longs Drugs’ unique market position in Hawaii is largely attributed to its strategic commitment to the local economy.

“We strategically choose to source and procure a lot of our sellable goods and even our services with vendors and suppliers on the island,” explains Assistant General Manager and Lead Director of Merchandising Operations Jon Higa.

While national brand options from the mainland are available, Longs still prioritizes supporting the local workforce and businesses, recognizing its role as a responsible partner in the sustainability and strength of Hawaii’s economy.

“We’re a national brand and retailer, but we realize the importance of keeping local businesses strong here because we’re one of the most isolated markets and states in the world,” Higa comments.

Even with the local focus, the complexity of serving an archipelago still necessitates a highly integrated and agile supply chain model.

Longs not only operates with an on-island servicing distribution center, but also co-mingles freight with direct-to-store delivery (DSD) partners and centralized distribution freight.

This multifaceted logistics network involves collaboration with suppliers on each island to securely provide goods and services to their intended communities.

This unique combination of centralized networks and direct vendor support, although complex, enables Longs to manage costs effectively and deliver products to customers at affordable retail price points —a crucial consideration given the high cost of living in Hawaii.

Just as it has adapted its supply chain structure to Hawaii’s physical landscape, Longs Drugs also continually adapts to the evolving needs of Hawaii’s healthcare landscape.

One of the most recent significant additions to the company’s retail channel was the opening of a store at Huamaca in Kapolei.

However, Longs Drugs isn’t just expanding in location, but also in service. “We have a specialty pharmacy that just opened up. It’s a large upgrade that will not only help us in the Honolulu community but across the entire state,” Sutton states.

Additionally, a new refill center/patient services center in the airport industrial area is set to further streamline patient services.

These are just a few of the many ways that Longs plays a crucial role in public health.

Giving More Towards a Healthier Horizon

Longs Drugs’ deep integration into the Hawaiian community extends beyond healthcare services, embodying a core cultural value of consideration and giving back.

This was especially demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Longs rapidly deployed drive-through immunization events, allowing customers, including kupuna, to receive essential vaccines without having to leave their cars.

This nimble, patient-centered approach to healthcare delivery highlights Longs’ willingness to innovate its service model “on a flip of a dime” to meet community needs.

Additionally, the company actively partners with numerous local non-profit organizations.

“We know how important it is to give back to the community, especially in Hawaii… so a few examples, we’ve partnered with the Autism Society of Hawaii,  with March of Dimes, and the National Kindy Foundation, most recently. We also have another event with the American Heart Association coming up, and we participate in their local walks as well. So, we’re very ingrained with these local organizations and partner with some of our largest Healthcare Partners to bring these events to life,” Sutton says.

These collaborations, often supported by major healthcare partners like HMSA and in-kind contributions from vendors like Coca-Cola, make these vital events possible.

A recent March of Dimes fundraising campaign, launched in June 2025, has already raised over $40,000 in just a few weeks, with a goal of contributing $300,000 for the year, showcasing a growing commitment to community well-being.

This philosophy, encapsulated by the mantra “a healthy community means a strong community” and “leading with heart,” defines Longs’ footprint in Hawaii.

Looking to the future, Longs Drugs sees a bright outlook, driven by its innovative and adaptable practices.

The company continuously strives to stay ahead of the curve in anticipating community and healthcare needs, demonstrating agility in response to patient and customer feedback.

Key areas of focus include further enhancing its digital approach to meet diverse shopping and healthcare preferences, ensuring that every customer has convenience available at their fingertips.

The district is also prioritizing the development of more career pathways for local young adults, particularly in the healthcare field.

The integration of its various silos—retail, specialty pharmacy, refill centers, minute clinics, and Caremark—creates a uniquely strong and cohesive model.

This integrated approach, combined with a willingness to adapt its model to become more sustainable, is what makes Longs Drugs not just a retailer or healthcare provider but an indispensable pillar in the Hawaiian community.

It is a pillar that will provide strong support to its community for many years to come.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Longs Drugs (CVS Hawaii)

What: A deeply rooted healthcare and retail provider serving communities across the Hawaiian Islands.

Where: Operating throughout the Hawaiian Islands

Website: www.cvs.com/content/longs