Honolulu, HI

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