Sales surging at some surplus stores
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Staff Writer
The war in Iraq hasn't triggered panic-buying in Hawai'i, but the more cautious among us have been hitting military surplus stores to stock up on field rations and freeze-dried food.
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Sandii Kamaunu, owner of the Military HQ surplus store on Sand Island, estimates business has been about 20 percent busier than usual since the invasion of Iraq began, with brisk sales of military field rations known as MREs, or "meals ready to eat."
Hawai'i residents have been known to stock up on MREs as the summer hurricane season approaches, but Kamaunu said people are buying earlier this year. She had less than a dozen cartons, at $89.95 each, left last week.
Hilo Surplus Store Inc. owner Tim Beatty said it's been business as usual, with recent sales much slower than during buildup to the Y2K millennium change.
Still, people call each day to ask about gas masks. "There's no reason for that," he said. "I tell people, 'Don't go ahead and buy a whole bunch of gas masks because it's not really going to help anybody over here.' "
People have been stocking up on MREs in Hilo as well, which Beatty said makes more sense because the rations have a long shelf life that makes them useful for hurricanes and other emergencies. In the last few weeks, Beatty has sold enough MREs to stock his store for two months, and he said he is virtually sold out.
The Hilo store is expecting a shipment shortly, but Kamaunu said she doesn't expect any more MREs until at least the end of May because the manufacturer is focusing on supplying the military.
On Maui, Jesse Hamilton, owner of Uncle Jesse's Place in Wailuku, said people have been buying MREs, 5-gallon gas cans and, for some reason, military duffle bags.
"Getting ready to jump and run, I guess," he said.
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.
