EDITORIAL
Tug strike affects everyone in state

At this point, we're not inclined to fault either side in the strike against Hawaiian Tug & Barge and Young Brothers.

But important as this is to the two sides directly involved, we wish to remind them that there's far more at stake than the bargaining-table issues that brought them to this impasse.

The near-panic buying yesterday on Moloka'i and elsewhere occasioned by the strike is sufficient evidence of that.

thus we urge the two sides to reflect on how many people will be hurt by any display of intransigence.

There are the obvious inconveniences, plus the longer-term damage to our reputation as a visitor destination, if the strike lasts for any length of time.

And even in the short term, there are costs adding up as stores and suppliers use much more expensive air shipping to offset the lack of barge service.

Let's make this strike short.

But it's not only the union and the employers who need to remember to have a little aloha. Those who are hoarding goods are denying those who don't have any. And retailers who raise prices in the face of these demand spikes are price gouging.

State government must monitor retail outlets to ensure that prices remain fair, and it should arrange air shipment of essential commodities that are in short supply, such as rice.

We've survived strikes like this in the past, and we'll get through this one. Cool heads, main thing.