Hawaii’s needy children
get toys through national
Hasbro settlement

Star-Bulletin

Needy children will receive about 2,000 toys worth more than $15,000 this Christmas as a result of a settlement with Hasbro Inc. in an anti-trust action against major toy manufacturers and Toys 'R' Us, the nation's largest toy retailer.

"I am pleased that we could reach a settlement that also gives us the opportunity to bring back some of the joy into the lives of children in time for the holidays," said state Attorney General Margery Bronster, announcing the settlement last week.

Hawaii joined the New York lawsuit last fall. The suit claimed the companies had conspired since 1989 to withhold popular toys from low margin warehouse clubs that undercut Toys 'R' Us prices.

The suit accused that firm of brokering an illegal agreement among toy manufacturers, including Hasbro Inc., to ensure warehouse clubs could obtain certain popular toys only in "combination packs," at prices higher than those offered by Toys 'R' Us.

The overall settlement is valued at $5.95 million in toys and cash payments to be shared among 44 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The toys will be distributed through the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.