I read in the paper that Hawaiian Air just increased their airfare and American Airlines is now going to start charging for any checked in luggage. Yes… including the first bag.
I thought things got bad when we started to not have meals during the red-eye flights to the mainland. Things got worse when they brought back the food and made it an option to purchase charging about $10 for it. (more…)
It’s no secret that Hawaii drivers are married to their cars. But with gas prices hitting $4.00 / gallon on the mainland (and Hawaii close behind) is it time that the streets of Hawaii can be cleared out as we look for other means of transportation? Is it even possible that people will somehow leave the comfort of their cars? I’m not so sure.
For instance, the other day, I had lunch with my brother. I drove from Pearl City to Ala Moana Shopping Center and from the looks of it, there didn’t seem to be any significant difference in the amount of traffic – Lunalilo Freeway was still busy at 11:45 am. This was the rolling kind of busy. You know the kind where there are a lot of cars around but you’re still moving at a decent rate. (more…)
Gas prices have risen. Our rice supply is short. Aloha Airlines shut down and today, I read that Hawaii’s revised economic outlook, as forecasted by the State Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), shows that Hawaii will grow at a slower economic rate than originally predicted.
Wow…. This must be like a 20/20 hindsight thing…
Our tourism industry has been highly impacted by the folding of one of Hawaii’s top airline carriers. ATA also followed suit and announced their close shortly after Aloha did. It’s reported that we’re not attracting the kind of visitors that we used to and as if that isn’t bad enough, outbound travel (namely those annual trips to Las Vegas) will most likely be affected as well.
Despite all that; call me blind, ignorant or whatever you want, but I’m still choosing to believe that my personal economic growth can happen. I’m choosing NOT to listen to the news reports or state predictions. Hey, after all… I’m the one who’s responsible for preserving my hope and my future.
For those of you who are asking yourself how is it that I can be so optimistic, let me share with you my reasons.
1) I know I’m always going to be making money. Even if I lose my job, I’ll find another one because I know I’m responsible for my own economic growth in Hawaii.
2) I’m well stocked in case anything should happen. I’ve got three bags of Hinode rice in my cupboard, four packages of CostCo pack toilet paper and twelve cans of spam. You see… I’m good to go! I’m also the person you want to live near during hurricane season.
3) I understand that a declining real estate market means an increasing number of real estate deals. I just have to go find them, but first, let me take Donald Trump’s real estate investing course. Can I borrow a few thousand to get started?
4) I’ll make the financial adjustments I need to get through whatever economy Hawaii faces.
a. I won’t work at Nordstrom.
b. When bicycling becomes safer, I’ll park my SUV to feel the wind in my hair and save on gas at the same time. Maybe, I can even “pack” my kids when I have to drop them off at school.
c. As for those trips to Vegas, well… you know how that’s going to go.
5) When my tax rebate check comes in, I’m going to do my part and put it back into revitalizing Hawaii’s economy. Yes, I’m abstaining from purchasing anything on eBay and Amazon.com.
I will still choose to believe for my personal economic growth because I know that no matter what anyone else says I’m always responsible for the life I lead.
Aloha Airlines, DBEDT, ATA Las Vegas travel, Hawaii tourism industry, gas in Hawaii, tax rebate check
Want to know where the cheapest gas is being sold on Oahu? Updated daily, HonoluluGasPrices.com lists the locations and prevailing rates of Oahu’s gas stations. Find out how your local gas station is ranking against island-wide prices.
You know, I thought all the gas stations charged pretty much the same thing. But there can be huge differences in gas prices!
HonoluluGasPrices does a great job at tracking local gas price trends as well as comparing them to national trends. They also provide articles to help people like me understand what’s going on in the gas industry.
About Honolulu, HI focuses on the people who make experiencing Hawaii better! Hawaii, with its exquisite beauty and charm, is an excellent place to visit and an excellent place to live. In this blog, you’ll find out about Hawaii local events, Hawaii’s great dining and shopping as well as the latest news about what’s going on in Hawaii, but you’ll also find that this Hawaii blog is a lot about the people that you’ll meet everyday. You’ll also find useful Hawaii resources for locals and visitors alike. Have fun and get to know Hawaii by getting to know the people of Hawaii!
Honolulu, HI Author(s)
» Coreen-Nishijo
» Coreen-Nishijo
