Demand for flags People wanting to express their love of country by flying a flag are having a difficult time finding one, as many stores are sold out.
outstrips supply
Stores are sold out, and it may be
awhile before more are shipped inBy Kelliann Shimote
kshimote@starbulletin.comMary Phillips, owner of Flags Flying in Ward Warehouse, said a wave of shoppers hit her store Wednesday. The store ran out of flags Thursday evening after selling 700 to 1,000, she said.
"There wasn't a moment in time ... where there was less than a dozen people in the store," Phillips said. "I did not anticipate the reaction I have seen."
"I've had people from all walks of life ... (and) economic circumstances ... who have said, "I don't care what it costs, I want it,'" said Phillips. "But yet it was so important for them to have a flag."Her last flag was bought by Todd Nelson, who plans to stand with his 5-by-9.5-foot flag on the sidewalks along Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki this weekend to show his support for the country.
"I'm going to let people (understand) there's more going on than tourism," Nelson said.
Hopaco also experienced a surge in flag sales.
"Stores are pretty much cleaned out," said general manager Bill Matheson. "We had 30 left in our warehouse this morning, and we distributed (the 30 flags) to our stores."Matheson said it normally takes four to six weeks for mainland shipments to reach Hawaii, but he is unsure about the arrival of the next shipment.
"It's going to be a month probably. ... It's hard to say, the demand has just been overwhelming."
Honolulu Sign Co. also sold out.
"Almost everybody who walks in, (the) first question they ask is do we sell U.S. flags," said Moy Ganibi.Ganibi said the store has ordered more flags, but like Matheson, he did not know when they would be getting more.
Waikiki resident Torrey Hufana was one shopper who expressed her frustration with trying to find a flag. Hufana looked at the yellow pages and started making calls, then went to Flora-Dec but found it, too, was sold out.
If they cannot find a flag, her husband, John Hufana, said they might resort to making a flag out of banner paper."This is the best we can do in supporting New York and Washington," John said.
Angela Perez, a Waipahu resident, is still searching for two or three flags for her van to show her support.
"I feel this way, wherever we go, everyone will be able to see that we are supporting the victims and families whatever way we can," she said.
