Rawlins Announces Leadership Transition After 67 Years

Shirley Rawlins with her husband, Larry Rawlins, who passed away in 1993. Contributed photo

Rawlins Enterprises News Release

After 67 years as a family-owned and operated business serving the Molokai community, Rawlins has announced a thoughtful transition as Aunty Shirley Rawlins prepares to step back from day-to-day operations.

For the past 33 years, Aunty Shirley and her daughter Lori-Lei have led the company together, continuing a four-generation legacy of service and commitment to Molokai. At 82 years old, Aunty Shirley and her daughter recently began reflecting on what the next chapter should look like.

Rawlins Staff. Contributed photo

“The time has come for my mother to focus on her health and well-being,” said Lori-Lei Rawlins Crivello, President of Rawlins Service. “This decision was made with great care, and always with the community in mind.”

For decades, Rawlins Service has been regarded as a backbone of Molokai’s business community, quietly supporting the island in both visible and unseen ways. In considering the future of the business, Lori-Lei undertook a careful and thoughtful search to identify a trusted partner who understands the responsibility of operating on Molokai and shares the commitment to safeguarding the needs of the community.

The transition represents not an ending, but an evolution, one that brings additional operational support and innovation while honoring the legacy and relationships built over nearly seven decades.

Aunty Shirley plans to remain at the station during a transitional period and may continue working part-time for the foreseeable future. Her presence, guidance, and deep connection to the community will continue to be part of Rawlins as this next chapter unfolds.

Customer Notice

As part of the transition, customers are asked to note the following important dates:

• The last day to redeem Rawlins gift certificates will be March 31, 2026.
  • The last day for authorized charging to a Rawlins business in-house account will be March 31, 2026.

Businesses currently using house accounts are encouraged to contact Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello for information regarding transitioning in–house accounts to the new credit system.

Further details about the transition and the incoming management will be shared in the coming days. The company does not anticipate any disruption to daily operations, employees, services or community partnerships.

About Rawlins Texaco:

Rawlins Texaco traces its roots back to Aunty Mary Lani Rawlins, who founded the business as Rawlins Tire & Supply, originally operating as a Shell station in Kaunakakai. 

Mary ran the station as a family operation for six years before gradually handing the reins to her son, Larry Rawlins Sr., who began as a junior in high school and working as a mechanic while helping to run the business. In 1965, she officially transferred ownership to Larry. 

Together with his wife Shirley Rawlins, the couple proudly operated the station for many years, building a reputation for dependable service and strong ties to the Molokai community. 

After Larry’s passing in 1993, Shirley carried the torch forward, continuing the family legacy and guiding the business through its later transition to the Texaco brand. In the years that followed, Shirley was joined by her daughter Lori-Lei, and together they continued operating the station as a true family business. 

Over the decades, Rawlins Texaco has employed hundreds of Molokai residents, many of them young people working their first jobs while maintaining a reputation for treating employees, customers, and community members like family.