TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Every layoff and subsequent disruption of a family's sustainability blamed on the Sept. 11 terrorist attack can be seen as a tally mark in the terrorists' "win" column. Fighting the impact
of terrorismIn his weekly electronic dispatch, Hawaii County Deputy Managing Director Peter Young wrote, "It is one thing to reference the impact to 'the economy;' it is another perspective to recognize that all of this involves real people -- our families, our friends and our neighbors. The context here is pretty simple: by helping each other we will cumulatively help ourselves, and our island's economy and its people."
Nearing the one-month anniversary of the infamous date, dozens of Hawaii businesses are doing something about the realization that the bottom line won't be propped up by visitors who don't come. They hope to lure kamaaina cash and goodwill with discounts, specials and buy-one-get-one free deals.
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has launched a "Buy Hawaii" effort, keeping track of and getting the word out about members offering specials to customers at the retail level or on a business-to-business basis.
The Maui Chamber of Commerce has long had a "Buy Maui First" program and it, too, is compiling a listing of businesses stepping up to the plate.
As other chambers do their part, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has a listing of more than two dozen businesses, some with properties on various islands, making offers they hope kamaaina won't refuse. They range from the practical, such as brake installation at Midas, to the exotic -- discounted "Electron Beam Tomography" at Holistica Hawaii Health Center.
On the B-to-B side, Kelly Services Inc. offers a discount for temporary help orders while Ceridian will give a new client free payroll processing, with conditions.
Oh yeah, there are hotel and air fare specials as well.
The Maui Chamber of Commerce is faxing members with updates about business and consumer discounts, according to President Lynne Woods.
Through an affiliation with Maui No Ka Oi magazine, several chamber members are featured in a catalog to be available by the end of this week. Some products are online at www. madeinmaui.com. While the catalog was printed before the attack, Woods said the slogan has changed to, "If you can't come to Maui, we'll send Maui to you."
Putting the walk in his talk, Young's e-mail lists e-commerce sites such as www.bigislandkamaaina.com, which features a host of accommodations, attractions, dining, shopping and other businesses with specials for local folks.
Now about that opening sentence. The other side of that ugliest of coins is the tales of managers' and employees' willingness to sacrifice wages and hours to enable others to remain employed. Each case is worth more than one tally mark in the "win" column.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com