The night sky over Honolulu was pierced by the glow of roaring flames, turning the calm evening of December 3rd, 2024 into a scene of heartbreak as a devastating fire tore through Starkey’s Auto Repair in Honolulu, HI.

 

Inside the shop, years of hard work, tools and equipment melted away in the heat. By morning, the once-thriving repair shop was unrecognizable. The fire, thought to be caused by a faulty battery pack, left the shop in ruins and its owner, John Starkey, grappling with the challenges of rebuilding his business.

Starkey, a DRIVE client since 2019, has been a cornerstone of his community and an exemplary business owner, but that wasn’t the case from the very beginning…

John says, “When I joined DRIVE, I realized my lack of exposure to other auto shops was a problem—I couldn’t visualize success. To fix this, I visited successful DRIVE clients across the mainland, where they welcomed me, shared insights, and taught me everything from policies and procedures to shop flow and staff meetings. It was like being a kid in a candy store, soaking up the knowledge needed to thrive in this challenging industry.”

His hard work and pursuit of knowledge paid off, and within a few short years, Mr. Starkey had won awards and reached Stage 4 Operational status: his shop ran smoothly and successfully with little intervention, allowing John to pursue other interests. Then, this unthinkable tragedy struck. Now, with the support of his team, the local community, and his DRIVE network, John is determined to rebuild.

Recently, John shared his emotional insights into how the fire has affected him, his team, and his vision for the future.

How has the fire affected you personally and professionally as a shop owner?

“Before the fire, my shop was thriving, extremely profitable, and running smoothly. Personally, life was wonderful—I spent time foiling (a surfing style) every day and enjoyed quality moments with my family. The fire turned all that upside down, leaving us to rebuild from scratch. Unfortunately, through this tragedy I also discovered that I was severely underinsured – I got my garage keepers’ policy when I first opened and never revisited my policy limits.”

How has the local community responded to the fire and your efforts to rebuild?

“The response has been overwhelming. My landlord, Kamehameha Schools, offered a lifeline by providing access to an 18,000-square-foot building nearby, which we’re now preparing to use. Although it’s not a perfect fit, it’s an opportunity to rebuild bigger and better.”

“Local media, including KITV and our local newspaper, covered our story, and iHeart Radio DJs have been sharing our struggles with their listeners. Many customers have sent well wishes, and one even came to help with cleanup, bringing three workers with him.”

What has surprised you most about the aftermath of this event?

“I was surprised by the generosity of my landlord, who could have simply told me to rely on my insurance. Instead, they provided us with a new building to rebuild in, with rent unchanged for six months. The challenge of transforming this space into a fully functional shop is daunting, but it’s also an exciting opportunity for growth.”

 “On the downside, the emotional and mental toll on my team has been significant, but they have stuck by side through all of this. Their resilience and dedication have been inspiring. My techs are eager to prove themselves in the larger space, and my service advisors have been outstanding in handling difficult conversations with several customers whose vehicles were lost in the fire.”

What inspires you to push forward and rebuild?

“When I started Starkey’s Auto Repair over eight years ago, I had no experience in the industry and only $5,000 to my name. Had the fire not happened, we would’ve closed out the year at $3.7M. This is because DRIVE has taught me how to run my shop effectively, and with their guidance, I turned near-bankruptcy into rapid success—even during COVID.”

“The fire may have set us back, but it has also opened the door to new possibilities. I view this as another pivotal moment in my journey, one that could lead to greater achievements. I’ve overcome challenges before, and I believe my team and I can do it again.”

How has this experience shaped your vision for the future of your shop?

“When I look at the new space, I don’t just see a shell—I see a thriving shop with 25 lifts, 15 techs, and six service advisors, generating $6–8 million a year. With the knowledge, team, and DRIVE community behind me, I’m ready to tackle this challenge.”

What are your immediate needs and priorities as you work to rebuild?

“Money is tight due to being underinsured. We lost $140,000 in tools and scanners, and our lead tech’s bay suffered the worst damage. Donations have been critical so far for replacing lost tools and supporting my staff. If a monetary donation isn’t possible, thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement are just as valuable. Sometimes, a kind word is all it takes to lift someone’s spirits during tough times.”

How is your team doing, and what steps have you taken to support them?

“I’m incredibly proud of my team. Right after the fire, we got together and came up with a plan to clean and rebuild. Dressed in hazmat gear, my team worked tirelessly to clean the side of the shop that didn’t burn—our office and four of our eleven lifts. I’ve continued paying my employees 100% of their compensation even though we’ve generated very little revenue between the fire and Christmas. I know retaining my team is critical to the shop’s survival.”

John’s team’s unwavering loyalty in the aftermath of the fire is no coincidence—it’s a testament to the outstanding shop culture John has cultivated over the years. By prioritizing respect, teamwork, and open communication, he created an environment where employees feel valued and empowered. This strong foundation of mutual trust and camaraderie has inspired his team to stand by his side, even in the face of immense challenges.

As he pushes forward with determination and vision, one thing is certain: Starkey’s Auto Repair will rise again, stronger and more successful than ever, embodying the spirit of perseverance that defines its owner and his remarkable journey.

To support John Starkey and his team as they rebuild Starkey’s Auto Repair, please consider donating to their GoFundMe campaign. Together, we can help them emerge stronger than ever!

 

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By Brittany Crow