Businesses feel Jimmy Mapua strolled down Kalakaua Avenue yesterday afternoon wearing aloha print trunks and carrying a longboard.
pinch of tourism drop
A small increase in sales this
week leaves some optimistic
that the worst has passedBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.comNormally, Mapua would have been working as a sales supervisor at Crazy Shirts, but his work hours have been cut, and he decided to take advantage of his time to surf in the waters off Waikiki.
"Might as well enjoy it," Mapua said.
Like Mapua, those who work along Waikiki's main drag have noticed a big drop-off in businesses, and some have had their hours cut, since the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
"We really feel it," said Mapua.
But some establishments, such as Duke's Canoe Club, have experienced a slight increase in the last few days.
Dining room manager Jason Aquino said the restaurant experienced a 20 percent decrease days after the terrorist attacks. Aquino said Duke's has experienced a 10 percent increase in the past week.Aquino, who has worked at Duke's for five years, said, "We've been trying to keep spirits up."
But next door, all surfboards remained aligned on a wooden stand at Aloha Beach Service, a concession stand near the Outrigger Waikiki, after no surfing lessons were reserved yesterday.
Dickie Chongkee, whose worked at Aloha Beach Service for 35 years, said, "It's worse than when we had the Gulf War."
Gilbert, also an Aloha Beach Service employee, said business has dropped 30 percent.
"When the hotels are slow, then everybody is slow. It's like a rippling effect," said Gilbert, who did not want to give his last name.
Like others, he remains optimistic that business will increase in time. "It's only temporary. It'll come back," he said.
Daniel Gagich, crew member of Na Hoku II, said business for the catamaran has dropped at least 40 percent following the attack. But the number of passengers has increased 20 percent this week, said Gagich.
There has been more business from the local community, he said.Gagich added this is the worst economy drop he has observed in the last 2 1/2 years.
"But it's getting better and we're hopeful," he said.
Merchants at the International Market Place had a big cut in sales in the last two weeks.
Mana Feiloaki, a woodcarver who sells Hawaiian tikis, sold about $80 worth yesterday. Before the attack occurred, Feiloaki sold about $500 worth of Hawaiian tikis per day.
Tina Ouanesisouk, a merchant who runs RK Jewelry at the marketplace, sold about $140. Generally, Ouanesisouk's jewelry kiosk generates between $300 and $700 a day.
Ouanesisouk, whose rent at the marketplace is $3,000 a month, said, "I worry to pay my bills."
Nevertheless, she remains optimistic.
"I'm sure it's going to pick up by Christmas," Ouanesisouk said.
Felix Wesley, a street performer known as the Silver Cowboy, noticed stores closing earlier since the attack occurred.
Crowds have cut down in half, he said.Last week, Wesley avoided performing on Kalakaua Avenue because of low hotel occupancy learned from talking to hotel staff. He returned to Waikiki on Sunday.
"It was dead last week. Some of the guys last week made $20 to $30 after eight hours," said Wesley.
Within the last few days, Wesley said, business increased.
"It's a lot better," he said.
Although the attack on the East Coast has deterred many people from flying here, Richard Franz and his family decided to go ahead with their one-week vacation on Oahu.
Franz, a California resident and frequent visitor of Hawaii, said, "If I didn't think it was safe, I wouldn't have brought down four generations on that airplane."
