Posted on: Friday, March 8, 2002

Wahiawa copes with lull in business

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer

Spc. Tony Carmack, a military police officer at Schofield, brings his uniforms to El'Gant Alterations in Wahiawa where Letty Dela Cruz assists him. Wahiawa businesses are feeling the effects of the recent deployment of troops to Bosnia. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

WAHIAWA — It's part of the economic ups and downs of doing business in a military town.

With the post-Sept. 11 economy to contend with, Wahiawa businesses are also bracing for possibly more slow times ahead while 1,000 Army troops from nearby Schofield Barracks are deployed to Bosnia for six months.

The restaurants, alteration shops and check-cashing services that line Kamehameha Highway anticipate a lull in business during the 25th Infantry Division's six-month deployment for peacekeeping duties. The deployment is one of Schofield's largest and longest assignments since the Army division sent 3,500 troops to Haiti in 1995 on a similar operation.

Anh Nelson, owner of El'Gant Alterations shop, said she isn't sure what effect the lengthy mission will have on her business and staff until a couple of months from now.

"It's kind of wait-and-see on how slow it might get," said Nelson, who noted the military makes up a significant portion of her business.

With military uniforms and combat fatigues hanging in her shop ready for pickup, Nelson recalled when alteration orders dropped significantly after Schofield troops went to Haiti.

"First, there was (this) big rush to get all these alterations done before they left, about 30,000 items," Nelson said about the 1995 deployment. "Then it was a ghost town."

Nelson was relieved when the soldiers returned home two months earlier than scheduled.

Army Spc. Tony Carmack, who was picking up his fatigues from Nelson's shop Wednesday, said many families on base tend to stay home more when the spouses are away.

"I think family rather be close to the TV or phone to keep up on events," said Carmack, who is not part of the Bosnia deployment. "The wives back home are busy enough trying to take care of the kids."

Margaret "Molly" Walker of Molly's Smokehouse restaurant on Kamehameha Highway said she has tried to ensure that her customer base is a good mix of military and local residents to keep her business going during the longer deployments. She has even extended her business to catering and fund-raising events.

"Even though all businesses are going through tough times since Sept. 11, Wahiawa's situation is more complicated with it being a military town," Walker said. "Businesses here have to be even more flexible."

Rosa Aguilar, who manages Blimpie Subs and Salads in Wahiawa, said a couple of local eateries shut down after Sept. 11 when the economy went sour and they couldn't deliver food onto Schofield and Wheeler Army Airfield because of tight security. Most bases have since dropped security to Condition Alpha, one step above the lowest security level.

On Wednesday, Aguilar stood behind the serving counter as a few customers trickled in around noon.

"We're going to concentrate on more deliveries onto base since many spouses will be busy at home," said Aguilar.

But not all Wahiawa businesses go south during a lengthy deployment. Activity at several local pawnshops actually goes up when soldiers ship out.

E. Steve Cox Jr. of North Star Pawn Shop on California Avenue said military spouses whose loved ones are deployed tend to pawn personal items for a cash loan when money gets tight at home.

Surrounded by jewelry, guitars and stereos in his store, Cox explained, "Basically, (pawnshop) loans go up when times are bad, and stuff sells when times are good."

Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.