Hope and uncertainty
 A CHRONICLE OF ONE FAMILY'S HOPES FOR THE YEAR |
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| • | One family's hopes for the year |
| • | Small decisions, broad impacts |
| • | Rising costs affect supplier, customer |
| • | Help from healthier sectors of economy |
| • | Couple places hopes on housing market |
| • | Preparing for an uncertain future |
By Dan Nakaso, John Duchemin and David Butts
Advertiser Staff Writers
At the heart of Hawai'i's economic outlook for next year are families like the Kinoshitas.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
For more than four decades, the family has run Stanley's Chicken Market from a tiny shop in Kaka'ako — fueling, and being fueled by, an inextricably interwoven, invisible web of economic ties across the islands that bind us all.
The story of the determination of the Kinoshita family — and the economic realities fringed with uncertainties that they face in the year ahead — reflects the outlook for Hawai‘i’s people and economy as a new year dawns.
As the family faces 2003, their visions for the business and themselves reflect both the strong and weak economic underpinnings that are destined to push and pull Hawai'i and reshape the state in the year ahead.
Their story is one of hopes amid worries. Dreams amid uncertainties.
Above all, it is a story of determination. It is the story of Hawai'i's economy.
• • •
A chronicle of one family’s hopes for the year
The matriarch
Grandmother Sadako Kinoshita, 84, started the family business by buying Stanley's Chicken Market more than four decades ago for $500. Sadako sold the business to her son, Dennis Sr., who passed it on to her grandson, Dennis Jr. Sadako has weathered many economic slumps with the business, and still works at the shop three times a week.
In school, at work
Denise Kinoshita, 37, worked in the state's tourism industry for years and ran her own small business. Now she hopes to complete her business degree in the year ahead and continue helping the family business.
Strong prospects
Gloria Saito married into the family business and raised three children — Denise, Dennis Jr. and Deneen — who together keep Stanley's Chicken Market running. Gloria is in nursing, an industry suffering from a national shortage that is expected to keep her job secure in the year ahead.
Running the market
Dennis Kinoshita Jr., 38, now runs Stanley's Chicken Market. Dennis looks ahead to 2003 with seasoned determination, but also a measure of uncertainty. Dennis expects another mediocre year amid prospects of a war with Iraq. "I'm concerned," he said. "But we will survive."
Back in construction
Dennis Kinoshita Sr., 58, took over running the market in 1982 but went back to construction work full-time 16 years later. Dennis is now a supervisor on the Makapu'u rock slide project. Continued low interest rates in 2003 are expected to keep the construction industry — and Dennis' job — strong.
Military ties
Jarin Wong, 32, married Deneen Kinoshita. Wong received two promotions and another $600 per month in salary this year from the Honolulu Fire Department. He also serves as a technical sergeant for the Hawai'i Air National Guard and worries what a war with Iraq might mean for his family.
Saving for a home
Deneen Wong, 33, works part-time at Stanley's Chicken Market while raising her and her husband, Jarin's, 2-year-old daughter, Jaelie. The couple sold their condo this year and moved into her father's home hoping to save enough money to buy their own home while interest rates remain low.
