Posted on: Saturday, April 5, 2003

Take advantage of those kama'aina deals

Americans were initially taken aback in the aftermath of 9/11 when President Bush advised them to show their patriotism by shopping. What he meant was, spend money so the economy doesn't tank.

Well, that time has come again, at least in Hawai'i. As visitors to the Aloha State dwindle because of the war, we Islanders need to do our part to perk up the local economy.

Now's the time to spend the weekend in a bargain resort condo or hotel room, to amble through Waikiki and enjoy Brunch or Sunset on the Beach. And if you're fed up with the security hassles of flying to the Mainland or overseas, why not vacation on a Neighbor Island?

Of course, it doesn't help that there have been cutbacks in interisland flights, and we sure miss those affordable flight coupons. But if the travel industry offers us kama'aina deals, then why not take advantage? Who knows when it'll happen again?

This might be taken as rather simplistic advice to "spend your way" out of the wartime blues or economic blahs. But it is not.

Tourism, after all, is the lifeblood of the economy that supports us all. It is critical that we maintain the "infrastructure," if you will, of the visitor industry in down times — the restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions and the rest — so they will be there when better times return.

In short, we all have a stake in keeping this vital economic sector in decent health.