Posts: 1,243
Threads: 55
Joined: Feb 2008
A friend just told me that Borders in Hilo is closing. I can't say I am surprised, but it is too bad that yet another business cannot make it in Hilo, even with all of their corporate $$$. I guess too many people just go there and read but are not buying the books.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com
Posts: 79
Threads: 12
Joined: Jun 2010
Oh that stinks... I hope this is just a rumor! Are there any other bookstores that compare in the area?
We enjoyed the extensive Hawaii section while there and did purchase a couple books.
William DeBoe
Delray Beach, FL
Moe'uhane Oihana mahi ai
Mahi 'ai 'Ulu
Posts: 1,243
Threads: 55
Joined: Feb 2008
We have a great local book store in downtown Hilo, *Basically Books* (also a publisher with Petroglyph Press) and they probably have a better selection of Hawaiian books including some vintage and out of print ones, many books written in the Hawaiian Language too. They also have a really fantastic map selection. However, for getting other kinds of books, you may have to request them, in that case, Amazon.com actually has hands down the best prices and selection of everything in print and they are the only ones who ship to Hawaii for free (if you order $25 worth of products.) Many online sources use UPS and Fed-Ex for shipping and that means that the prices are ridiculous because they consider Hawaii another country. The person who told me is a Border's buyer on the mainland, so I would take this as pretty much a done deal. That store has been losing money for years. Online sales are killing their brick and mortar market. Also, stores like Walmart undercut prices on best sellers, not so much the unusual books. There are a few smaller book stores in town too, and one that has a great selection of children's books. We do have a really fantastic Library and the Hilo Library is actually the BUSIEST library in the entire state, even busier than the main Honolulu library and has been for several years running. I was told this by one of the librarians there. I get the New York Times Book Review and then go online and order books to be sent here to Hilo. It is great, they have been able to send me almost every title I have ever requested.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com
Posts: 226
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2008
So sad.... the area next to the coffee shop was almost like a community center, check your e-mail, and make new friends. That will be missed.
Posts: 2,899
Threads: 489
Joined: Mar 2006
The Kona Borders will still be in operation. I guess the people over there "buy" the stuff they want to read. I wonder what's going to happen to Seattle's Best?
I guess that's going to be another reason to drive to Kona once a month!
Posts: 4,533
Threads: 241
Joined: Jan 2006
and there is a book store in Pahoa too.
Posts: 1,839
Threads: 48
Joined: May 2007
The best selection of books on Hawaii that I have seen is at the Kilauea Military Camp gift shop up in the park. No foolin'
Dan
Posts: 2,014
Threads: 46
Joined: Jun 2003
Yep, heard it on the radio, KAPA, this morning.
Since I got my iPhone 4, I've started reading with iBooks - surprisingly awesome. I suspect technology is changing the game.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
Posts: 2,314
Threads: 59
Joined: Jun 2003
Bookstores are just like newspapers, a dying breed.[
][
][
]
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,PB,ABR,CRB,CM,FHS
888.819.9669
johnrabi@johnrabi.com
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
(This is what I think of the Kona Board of Realtors
http://KonaBoardOfRealtors.info)
Posts: 1,163
Threads: 32
Joined: Aug 2009
I'm sorry to see that Borders is closing, but I'm not surprised. In the past 6 weeks, I've visited 3 times to purchase best sellers and/or books that should be in stock there (like the Culture Shock Hawaii book someone here recommended). Borders never had anything I wanted in stock, but they were up to their eyeballs in discount cookbooks like "1001 Crockpot Meals." So the decision became "do I drive to Hilo and hope they have my book, or do I go online and know I'll have book in hand in a few days with free shipping?"
