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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
A floral blast
from the past
at Honolulu AirportThe perception that every Hawaii visitor receives a lei greeting became reality yesterday for 1,350 airline passengers.
Ron Chinen found himself with way extra dendrobium orchid leis yesterday morning, 1,350 lei with an estimated retail value of $4,000.
Leis by Ron Inc. is a wholesaler of flowers and leis and "we were a little oversupplied and backed up with lei inventory," he said.
Not wanting to throw away lei, they decided to donate them but weren't sure where to turn with their perishable purple products.
One phone call begat another phone call and pretty soon the governor's office was on the other end.
"I guess one thing led to another and we were asked to drop off the leis at the airport," Chinen said.
It's an example of how the government can move fast, said state Tourism Liaison Marsha Wienert.
"It shows a great partnership in regards to a private business having a product they think could be of some good use," she said.
"And looking at what we're trying to do at the airport, increasing visitor satisfaction at our airport, it was a no-brainer."
"When you've got a business that was as kind-hearted as he was, it's a win-win."
Another flurry of calls brought Bruce Matsui, deputy director of the state Department of Transportation into the loop and the visitor information staff at Honolulu Airport was sent into high gear.
Officials randomly selected eastbound flights from United, Delta, Continental, Northwest and American airlines and hastily sent out a media advisory for the floral photo op.
Chinen wasn't advised of the lei distribution media opportunity and seemed surprised to be asked about it. "No, no, I like to kind of stay low-key," he said.
Visitor information staff on hand "were able to meet and greet them in the spirit of aloha," Wienert said.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
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
