By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Robbie Ripp angles for the best viewing position. Tiny
monitors on some Union76 gas pump monitors show
film clips and cartoons.

Now playing
at a gas station
near you

Video display dispensers
pump you up with
cartoons and petrol

By Cherie Chun
Star-Bulletin

IT'S a small thing, really -- about four and a half by three and a half inches in size. You might have noticed it if you've ever filled your tank at a Union 76 station. Call it a tiny television, or better yet, a "video display dispenser" that's there for your gas-pumping enjoyment.

"I guess it's OK, but are we paying extra for this?" Laurie Kishimoto asked as she pumped gasoline and watched the video screen at the station on the corner of Ward Avenue and Beretania Street.

No, says Julie Igo, spokesperson for the Phoenix, Ariz.-based Tosco Marketing Co., which owns all Union 76 stations in Arizona, Hawaii and California. Tosco also owns ProWash, a car wash offered at some 76 stations.

Video display dispensers were first used only at stations with ProWash to advertise the car-washing service, Igo said. The dispensers have since been used to promote gasoline or stations' convenience stores at locations with and without ProWash. Igo said individual dealers can now decide what they want to show their customers.

"We have some dealers in some parts of the country that are showing cartoons," Igo said.

Union 76 first began using the screens in Hawaii in 1995, and four locations now have them. Another station on Beretania and ones at Royal Kunia and Nimitz Highway play advertisements for the stations' car wash or convenience store.

The station at Ward and Beretania is the first to show movies like "George of the Jungle" for its customers. David Paek, new station owner since May 1, said the previous owner received numerous complaints about the advertisements.

By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Ron Johnson fills and tunes out. He said he didn't care
to watch the film clip of "George of the Jungle"
while he was pumping gas.

In hopes of improving customer service, Paek introduced movies. Paek says the movies must be "something with a G rating or a PG rating and something that has a universal appeal."

"It's not like I would come here just for that," Kimberly Santiago said after fueling up at the Ward and Beretania station. "I don't know why they put 'George of the Jungle' (on the screen) ... but it keeps you busy while you're pumping your gas."

It also kept Santiago's son Michael entertained, prompting him to let out George's Tarzan-like cry even after the movie stopped playing.

Robbie Ripp -- who frequents the station not because of the screens but because it's convenient -- said he was initially confused when he encountered the mini movie screen.

"The first time it was like what's that?" he said, "because it wasn't the beginning part (of the movie), it was in the middle of it."But Ripp says his 12- and 15-year-old sons have warmed up to the concept. His boys weren't with him this time, but when they are, they tell him, "Pump the gas slower, Dad," as they try to maximize their movie viewing time.

"My kids love it. One of my sons said 'Wait, wait, wait. You've gotta see this scene,' " he said.

Still other customers were not as enthused about the screens.

"Actually, I think it's kind of sad to watch TV while you're pumping gas," Ron Johnson said. "As if you don't get enough at home. It's a sad commentary."