My day in Honolulu

[Beachboy]

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So instead of being dejected about the state of the economy and tourism slacking off and people in traffic- as an apparent tourist I felt great. If this holds true people will return again and again. All that aloha is what Hawaii is really about.

Punaweb moderator

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I understand where you are coming from Rob. But your experience was a watered down one at best. you only had to pay for inter-island flight. This summer I took a family from Philly surfing. The father told me that last year the whole family came. Same time, hotel, airline,etc., etc.. Except this year it cost him three times more money to do the exact same as last year. He said he wouldn't be able to afford to bring his family back anytime soon. Then there is the family that say's "screw it", if we don't go this year, next year might not be affordable.
Rob, it's the fuel cost that is gonna hurt Hawaii. The news last night reported that 70% of a purchased airline ticket goes toward fuel! Every single ticket sold on all airlines, 70% goes to fuel. All the "bells & whistles" have been removed already...long time ago.

So it is my conclusion that as pleasant as your shopping experience was, it will have no bearing effect on our future. Hawaii tourism was built on the concept of 'Cheap Fuel",and the days of cheap fuel are behind us. I'm sorry, but I for one don't think a warm greeting is gonna make people return. There is no getting around mounting fuel cost, it effects our daily lives whether we travel or not!
Should have looked me up Rob while you were here. We could have had a great conversation, plus I could have taken you surfing!
Next time?


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Without these remarkable people the island would be nothing. With them it's a carnival. They are generous,courageous and comic. They awake each morning to a fresh day that has forgiven the previous day's outrages. In the pursuit of money they are irresponsible. In the pursuit of happiness,dedicated. They are the perpetual adolescents of the ocean, the playboys of the pacific.

James Michener on Waikiki Beachboys