Glenn Fujita and his family are bracing for a leaner holiday shopping season this year.

The Mänoa resident and his wife — both state workers — have seen a significant drop in their regular paychecks because of state worker furloughs.

"We have to tighten up and cut out certain things like eating out or watching the movies," said Fujita, a teacher at Kapälama Elementary School.

"For my young daughter, it's like 'you don't need this toy' or maybe 'you can use these old shoes a little longer.' "

Today marks the official beginning of the holiday shopping season. The so-called Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year as retailers flood their stores with discounts and new products.

Nationally, holiday purchases are expected to pick up from last year's abysmal turnout. But local retail sales will be tempered by the weak tourism economy and state worker furloughs, economists and retail analysts said.

"Last year, people went into their caves. They were hiding," said local economist Paul Brewbaker.

"This year, it's going to be more normal but it's still not going to be what it used to be."

Robert and Diane Grimes also said their holiday budget is much tighter than in past years because of the weak economy.

But the Punchbowl couple said they've already done all of their shopping and are in the process of mailing out their last gifts to relatives on the Mainland.

"It will be one of the more frugal years but everyone is getting something, which is still good," Diane Grimes said.

Majique Noir and Daniel Guitterez said they are more bargain-conscious than in past years.

"Before you could go out and have fun with it and not worry," Noir said.

"Now you have to think about how much you're spending."

Most of the bigger stores were closed yesterday for Thanksgiving, but some — including Walmart — were open to give shoppers a head start on their holiday purchases.

Still, the parking lot at the Ke'eaumoku Walmart was less than half-filled yesterday afternoon.

PRACTICAL GIFTS

Local retail analyst Stephany Sofos said she expects retail sales to be flat this year, and much of the purchases to focus on practical gifts such as appliances, electronic entertainment and home furnishings.

This year, more local residents are opting for "staycations" instead of the traditional trips to Las Vegas or the Neighbor Islands.

Televisions, video games, cooking items and the popular Wii electronic games will be high on consumers' shopping lists, she said.

"They're staying home and partying at home," she said.

Electronic gifts are high on Nadia and Tasha Ibarra's gift list.

Each year, the Ibarras said that they and as many as seven of their cousins pile into an SUV and head to Walmart's Ke'eaumoku store and line up for the midnight launch of the holiday season.

After finishing there, they head to Waikele Center for more shopping. They usually don't get done until 2 a.m., Nadia Ibarra said.

"We're like a team. We all jam-pack into a car and we hit all of the Walmarts," Nadia Ibarra said.