Shoppers wind their way through the K-B Toys store at Ala Moana Center in search of day-after-Thanksgiving bargains. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I do this every year," she said. "It sounds crazy but you do anything for your kids."

Nakashima, 40, arrived at the mall at the achingly early hour of 2 a.m. The center wasn’t even open yet, so she waited until 4 a.m. to get in line at the toy store. That was just the start of a busy day filled with plans to hit Sears, Shirokiya and Macy’s, then the Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo at the Neal Blaisdell Center.

Nakashima was far from alone. While most people were still asleep after a hearty Thanksgiving dinner, hundreds lined up at stores around Hawai'i for early day-after-Thanksgiving sales.

All are part of an important national shopping day known as Black Friday when retailers hope sales push them into the black of profitability. Store managers are hoping that this year’s season will get off to a good start as the state and national economic picture improves.

"Today is an important day for us, and it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the season," said Wayne Simmons, K-B’s district sales manager for Hawai'i. "The turnout’s been pretty good."

The National Retail Federation forecasts holiday sales will increase 5.7 percent to $217.4 billion, the largest increase since 1999 after a particularly weak 2002 holiday shopping season. The trade group said its holiday survey indicates consumers plan to spend an average of $671.89 this season, up from $648.85 last year.

Carol Pregill, president of Retail Merchants of Hawai'i, said local retailers are sensing more optimism this year.

"The state seems to be in better shape overall," Pregill said. In recent years consumers have been spending heavily on home purchases and home remodeling as low interest rates fueled a refinancing boom. This year, more are beginning to buy apparel and jewelry too, she said.

"Maybe we just haven’t bought new clothes in a while and it’s time," Pregill said.

Pregill said many stores are preparing with higher inventories. A month of congestion and delays following the shutdown of 29 major Pacific ports was a serious concern for retailers last year, but this year stores have been stocking up as usual.

As K-B’s opening hour drew near, Nakashima peered through the slats of the security barrier to scope out the location of toys in the store.

Her goal was to get 90 percent of her Christmas shopping done today. Nakashima estimates she’ll end up spending as much as $500 for gifts on her 10-year-old daughter, and perhaps another $500 on the rest of her family.

Dozens were lined up behind Nakashima waiting to get in. Some talked story with other doting parents, aunties and grandparents, while others frantically studied advertisements and made lists.

And at 5 a.m., store manager Robin Lo stood at the front of the store and asked, "Ready to shop?"

With a subtle wave of her hand, the shopping day began. Nakashima sped in, grabbing a train set and struggling to get it into a giant plastic shopping bag, then shoving boxes of Bratz dolls in with it.

"Bionicles?" she asked a store employee in the abbreviated language of a frantic shopper in search of LEGO robot sets.

"Bionicles are in the next aisle," the employee calmly replied.

"Oh shoot, I passed it!" Nakashima exclaimed.

By the time it was all over, the damage totaled $206.84. But that left a critical, 11th-hour decision. Nakashima was just a couple of dollars away from getting a second free Care Bear, the clerk informed her.

The solution was another LEGO set, and soon afterward, Nakashima was struggling to pull two huge bags of toys out the door to move onto the next store.

Lana Decambra of Kapahulu planned to head out to Circuit City and Macy’s after toy shopping this morning.

Decambra did some online shopping last night, but still woke up early to hit the stores.

"This is like tradition," Decambra said. "I feel like I’m missing out if I don’t get up."