01-20-2010, 09:17 AM
Regarding locally owned vs. national or "big box" businesses, I would like to point out that the local guys are not always the benign good citizens that they would like us to believe. Why does the Malama Market in Pahoa charge 10-25% more than their sister stores Foodland and SackNSave charge for the same items? Does it cost them that much more to haul the stuff the extra ten miles to Pahoa? I doubt it, especially since they have stores in Kailua-Kona and Waimea that are farther from port and distribution facilities than Pahoa, but have lower prices. The reason is because they can get away with it. I know lots of people who drive right by Malama on their way to get groceries in Hilo and only use the place as an oversized convenience store, something that I suppose does offer limited real value.
Why does KTA pay entry level workers about the same as WalMart and considerably less than Safeway? Because they can. While these companies may indeed keep their profits in Hawaii and make some charitable contributions, they are not paragons of virtue when it comes to their pricing or pay for employees.
Why does KTA pay entry level workers about the same as WalMart and considerably less than Safeway? Because they can. While these companies may indeed keep their profits in Hawaii and make some charitable contributions, they are not paragons of virtue when it comes to their pricing or pay for employees.