Wisteria Restaurant site to become 7-Eleven

[Miulang]

First they closed down the place, and now they're going to tear it down to make way for a 7-Eleven (http://starbulletin.com/2005/04/28/news/index3.html) minimart. What's ironic is there's another 7-Eleven within 2 blocks of the lot.

Pretty soon that area of Piikoi is going to look like any other thoroughfare in America...convenience stores up the ying yang. But I guess that's what customers want.

Miulang

[1stwahine]

That's real sad. I wonder if the owners have sold KC Drive Inn to 7/11 too. I passed there on Sunday after getting Leonard's Malasadas and saw the lights on, the parking lot empty...it gave me an overwhelming feeling of loss. Some major memories from Wisteria and KC Drive Inn. :(

[Glen Miyashiro]

It's sad for all us customers who loved the place, but I can't blame the Asatos for closing the Wisteria. Costs are high, and running a restaurant is not an easy job. I have seen, in my own family, stores that closed because the kids had no desire to take over mom and pop's business. Sometimes carrying on the family business isn't the right thing to do. But 50 years was a hell of a run for a local restaurant; congratulations to the Asatos for doing so well for so long!

[scrivener]

...but a 7-Eleven? That just...sucks. It's a let-down. It's a disappointment. I like 7-Elevens as much as anyone--when I passed one in Hilo on my way from the airport to my first apartment there, I knew I was going to be okay--but yeah. There's already one just down the street. Lame.

[Palolo Joe]

People like to complain, but how many actually patronized the restaurant during its final months? I was there a number of times, including the final night of operation.

Maybe if there were more customers, the Wisteria wouldn't have had to close. The Asato family wasn't making enough money to justify the work they were putting in, so they called it quits. And if I'm not mistaken, none of the younger generation wanted to continue in the restaurant business.

Frank De Lima made a good point... if it wasn't a 7-Eleven that went up there, it would have probably been L&L that moved in.

[kupomog]

adda...wibba...a 7-Eleven?? My favorite restaurant gets closed and in return we get another 7-Eleven...big fat BAH. I guess I can understand the whole thing about not wanting to run the restaurant after all this time, but it really just kills me. I suppose I can look on the bright side, which is me and my parents now migrating to Like Like Drive Inn for tasty food.

[craigwatanabe]

Wisteria's food had gone downhill for the last few years so I wasn't surprized of it's closure. I love Oyaku Donburi and once when I ordered it at Wisteria, it tasted pretty bad...wasn't even prepared in the traditional sense! How ironic as Wisteria is known for it's Japanese cuisine.

7-Elevens fill a niche in the Makiki area (high density rental market), I'm sure the people who live nearby (across the street) will appreciate the convenience of picking up a gallon of milk or sundries without having to endure the congested traffic that area sees, by just walking across the street.

I wonder how the rest of that property will be utilized. a 7-Eleven there would only fill about half the space.

[kimo55]

I'm sure the people who live nearby will appreciate the convenience of picking up a gallon of milk or sundries without having to endure the congested traffic that area sees,



yes! convenience! That's what we want here! and fast food and fast junk shops are willing to fill that need!

[Glen Miyashiro]

Wisteria's food had gone downhill for the last few years so I wasn't surprized of it's closure. I love Oyaku Donburi and once when I ordered it at Wisteria, it tasted pretty bad...wasn't even prepared in the traditional sense! How ironic as Wisteria is known for it's Japanese cuisine.Well... I wasn't gonna go there and bust on Wisteria, but bruddah Craig started it. So it's Craig's fault. :p

I too found the oyako donburi a little lacking. And lots of the dishes seemed to have the same flavor, as if there was a big batch of broth that they used for everyting. Also, I felt sad over the last few years that all the motherly Japanese waitresses at Wisteria were disappearing and being replaced with more standoffish Korean ladies instead.

On the other hand, the butterfish misoyaki was always very good.

[1stwahine]

They're closed, never to return. Let them RIP. Oyako Dun "Bury" too!

Even the ghost waitress that was so well known to have taken orders will wonder around the parking lot, wondering wea the heck the building went.

[Palolo Joe]

I wonder how the rest of that property will be utilized. a 7-Eleven there would only fill about half the space.According to the story, 7-Eleven is thinking about sub-leasing a portion of the property to retail tenants.

[craigwatanabe]

You know we talk about fast food, convenience and all the modern trappings of our lives nowdays, however 7-Eleven does fill an important role in our communities. In the Wal Mart threads we talk about big box retailers moving in on the old Mom and Pop grocery and sundries stores. Well I see 7-Elevens as the modern day M&P stores that allow you to walk out of your apartment/house and walk (instead of driving) to get a gallon of milk or the afternoon paper.

I mean would you rather have another Wal Mart replace Wisteria? At least a 7-Eleven will reduce the vehicular traffic somewhat for those who live nearby. And it is nice to know that if you want a light snack late at night, there's a 7-Eleven within walking distance to satisfy you.

I see nothing wrong with a 7-Eleven moving in over there. It's bringing back a sense of community the way corner grocery stores did back before the days of strip malls and big box retailing.

I'm sorry Wisteria wasn't the greatest (anymore) and I'm not too sad to see them leave. Now if Kam Bowl shuts down in Kalihi, now that would be tragic...I mean EVERYBODY KNOWS that when you want the best Ox Tail soup..it's Kam Bowl! And please if Libby's Manapua decides to close, Please let me know! As far I'm concerned, they make the best pork hash! :)

[Miulang]

I have nothing against 7-Elevens per se, except isn't it kinda odd that this one will be built a couple of blocks away from one that currently exists? This is kinda like the SBUX phenomenon: in Vancouver, BC, you have 2 SBUXs right across the street from each other, and both are always busy!

Craig, you weren't kidding about 7-Eleven (http://www.7-eleven.com/newsroom/companyprofile.asp) being the "mom and pop" equivalent of WM. They have over 28,000 outlets around the world, and more than 3,500 of the company's 5,800 stores in the US are either franchises or licensees, while the rest are company stores. And they're making money (http://www.7-eleven.com/newsroom/articles.asp?p=2341) hand over fist, too.

Miulang

[craigwatanabe]

I think 7-Eleven has the same idea as ABC discount stores that dot Waikiki. The owner of ABC once responded to the question of why he has ABC stores seemingly across the street from one another?

The answer was a simple and pretty smart one: Eliminate competition by occupying all available retail space.

So for 7-Eleven, if they don't want a Circle K moving in around the block as competition, put another 7-Eleven there and share resources. Makes sense to me.

Like I said in the Wal Mart threads, don't be surprized if in the future you see small convenience stores bearing the names like "WM Groceries" and stocked with products you could swear can be found in a Wal Mart.

I think as people are abandoning their gas-guzzling cars and SUVs for more gas saving automobiles, they will also start patronizing those convenience stores around the block from where they live or work within walking distance.

My feeling is that each state should embark on zoning policies that include light commercial zones within residential communities to promote foot traffic as opposed to vehicular traffic for the surrounding community. The goals would be to make residential communities self sufficient when it comes to goods and services. Spread out those commercial establishments as small offices and retail spaces throughout the neighborhood to promote walking from the pharmacy to the beauty salon to the post office to the hot dog cart on the way to work or school.

Imagine your teenage kids walking to school or to the neighborhood 7-Eleven where they would work part time after school. Working close to home, wow what a concept! :rolleyes:

[Miulang]

My feeling is that each state should embark on zoning policies that include light commercial zones within residential communities to promote foot traffic as opposed to vehicular traffic for the surrounding community. The goals would be to make residential communities self sufficient when it comes to goods and services. Spread out those commercial establishments as small offices and retail spaces throughout the neighborhood to promote walking from the pharmacy to the beauty salon to the post office to the hot dog cart on the way to work or school.

Imagine your teenage kids walking to school or to the neighborhood 7-Eleven where they would work part time after school. Working close to home, wow what a concept! :rolleyes:
We call those "urban villages" and I live in one now.

[craigwatanabe]

Funny we used to call that Kaimuki, or Kalihi. Urban villages. Sounds like a name for a rock group: It's Urban Village and they're heating up the burbs with their smash hit...I Rake My Yard.

Imagine HGTV's new show, Pimp My Pressure Washer! Washing off graffitti with a monster powered pressure washer...Phyto be gone!

[helen]

I have nothing against 7-Elevens per se, except isn't it kinda odd that this one will be built a couple of blocks away from one that currently exists?

It's not the first time that 7-11 does this. There are a couple of 7-11 close to Honolulu Community College, one is on Dillingham Blvd, the other is on North King Street and both are on or close to Kohou Street.

Of course it would have been nice if that site had a Wendy's to it.

[Kalihiboy]

I'm sorry Wisteria wasn't the greatest (anymore) and I'm not too sad to see them leave. Now if Kam Bowl shuts down in Kalihi, now that would be tragic...I mean EVERYBODY KNOWS that when you want the best Ox Tail soup..it's Kam Bowl! And please if Libby's Manapua decides to close, Please let me know! As far I'm concerned, they make the best pork hash! :)

I've heard rumors about Kam Bowl closing, its getting hit with alot of graffiti and the outside of the building is really showing its age. If Kenny's Burger House across the street can be sold, torn down and turn into a booming McDonalds, then I'm sure the owners of Kam Bowl are looking to see what can be developed there as well.

KalihiBoy

[1stwahine]

I'm sad to hear of this. Kam Bowl holds a lot of memories for me when I was in Int. School...must not forget their onolicious "OXTAIL SOUP!" another one will be biting the dust.....sad, truly sad. :(

[craigwatanabe]

OH man that is sad. I hope the cooks move (again) to another location. They used to be at a small hole in the wall at the old Universal Motors site where the Convention center is now.

You know what would be a great idea...to get all existing old school eateries that are threatened to close and make one grand food court somewhere where we can all enjoy the best of the best.

[1stwahine]

OH man that is sad. I hope the cooks move (again) to another location. They used to be at a small hole in the wall at the old Universal Motors site where the Convention center is now.

You know what would be a great idea...to get all existing old school eateries that are threatened to close and make one grand food court somewhere where we can all enjoy the best of the best.
That's the best idea I ever heard of. MAMA'S or Benny's (not existing) but would definitely be there. I'm sure many of the cooks who know the secrets of the specialties, would love to combine all their talents and create a place such as you described. If only....ahhh to dream the impossible dream.

Any Tycoon Investors out there? :cool:

[Glen Miyashiro]

I passed by the former Wisteria site and noticed that on the fence is not only a 7-Eleven sign, but also a 76 gasoline sign. So that's what the rest of the lot will be used for.

[craigwatanabe]

If I'm not mistaken all the Unocal stations were supposed to be bought by the investment company that bought The Gas Company a couple of years ago. About a year ago K-1 Ventures was planning on acquiring all the Union 76 stations to get into the gas retail business. The Gas Company was later sold to another investment company about a month ago.

[Glen Miyashiro]

They're not even Unocal 76 stations any more. Instead, the new signs say Conoco-Philips 76. Gee, it's hard to keep the brands straight!

[kimo55]

wisteria lives... sorta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3WVGkGHyNM

[Glen Miyashiro]

OMG, it's Kimo. Howzit brah, long time no see. :D

[Leo Lakio]

Yeah - don't be a ninja poster.

[kimo55]

howzit. tanx.

[Palama Kid]

howzit. tanx.

No, tank you for that video. Brought back many memories . . . even met Frank De Lima in the bar there. He still had some sparkly makeup on.

[Vanguard]

Sad -- I hate these national chains :( Local stores for the win!

[mapen]

Hmm, seeing that brand new 76 gas station there on the old site of the Wisteria got me wondering about those many news articles I've read over the years saying that gas stations in Honolulu were a dying breed that were being squeezed out by the high cost of land.

I can't think of the last new station to get built in Honolulu besides the one at Costco (I'm not sure that counts), but I can think of a few that closed down and disappeared over the years. Anyone can remember the last new gas station in town?

[GeckoGeek]

Anyone can remember the last new gas station in town?

Hmmm, the one at Cooke and S. King? Tosaro(sp?) Island gas? I don't remember what it's called.

[kimo55]

I've read over the years saying that gas stations in Honolulu were a dying breed that were being squeezed out by the high cost of land.


well, I believe it was aloha gas and minimart just DH of Borders and compadres. That was good to have there. The only gas stations now are on gas station row. kapahuulu.
a friend of mine, when we pulled into that aloha gas nest to the IBM building sez; "this gas station is great!" Then, when it was torn down, and now we see another tall tower there, i lamented "damn overdevelopment, that gas station there was great. Now we have this". He replied, That gas station wasn't great! THIS is great. a tower. is the best use of this land!"

damn frustrating.

and to see the only other gas station in the area wiped out, (ward and auahi) for another of what my friend stated was 'the best use of the land. More shopping choices."

[oceanpacific]

Remember Holiday Action Gas in town, Pearl City, and Kailua? I wonder if any of the bumper decals still exist.

[tutusue]

It's not a new station but it is downtown...well, Kakaako...
Lex Brodie's on the corner of Coral and Queen.

[kimo55]

keep forgetting that. they fast. and cheap. it's kinda dt. on da border.

[tutusue]

keep forgetting that. they fast. and cheap. it's kinda dt. on da border.
The best part about Lex Brodie's for me is it's mini-serve. They pump the gas. No other services beyond that, tho'. Second best is their prices. IIRC, only Costco beats them. But, that probably changes weekly!

[kimo55]

costco get big line, but.

[Palolo Joe]

and to see the only other gas station in the area wiped out, (ward and auahi) for another of what my friend stated was 'the best use of the land. More shopping choices."

Oh come on... there's the Shell station on Ward, just mauka of Auahi.

And if you drive up to Kapiolani, there's McKinley Car Wash.

Lex's is BLOCKS from downtown. It's located in Kakaako.

Stop whining.

[LikaNui]

Stop whining. Oh Gawd, here we go again. :rolleyes:
I can't imagine how Kimo could possibly survive in life without Palolo Joe's incessant demands... er, guidance... and orders... er, advice.
PJ, please please take your own "whining" about Kimo to private messages. Which Kimo will, presumably, block.

[pzarquon]

Waitaminit. Kimo, you're lamenting the loss of a gas station to a condo/retail complex/anything else? A gas station?

I mean, if you're going to continue the "o woe, the loss of all that is good and wonderful about Hawaii" theme, at least be consistent. Who says high-density housing isn't the best use of a piece of property near downtown Honolulu (an area that is urban and probably won't go back to being a pristine rainforest anytime soon)? Living close to where one works sure reduces the need to sit on the H-1 90 minutes a day. And besides, doesn't having gas stations all over the place support the evil consumer's addiction to his or her car, which leads to freeways and parking lots and dirty air?

Anyway. Topic, please?

We all miss the Wisteria. We all agree we don't particularly need another 7-11, and that it's a rather sad successor to the previous tenant on that property.

But to me the Wisteria's end was pretty natural. It was in slow, decline for years. It had that old neighborhood charm, but newcomers probably balked at the musty smell, the sticky floors, the chipped plates...

I don't blame 7-11, or evil capitalists, or anyone. It was a long-time restaurant, but eventually keeping it open didn't make sense. (They closed KC Drive-Inn a year later.) Profits fell, and the owners wanted to retire, sell the property to live comfortably. Hard to fault that, after 52 years of hard work.

We have our memories. Cherish them. And the opportunity to periodically wag our fingers and lament the loss of the "good ol' days," I suppose... but that's a cycle that's gone on for generations.

[Palolo Joe]

Oh Gawd, here we go again. :rolleyes:
I can't imagine how Kimo could possibly survive in life without Palolo Joe's incessant demands... er, guidance... and orders... er, advice.
PJ, please please take your own "whining" about Kimo to private messages. Which Kimo will, presumably, block.

I'd love to tell you how I really feel LikaNui, but I've been pre-emptively scolded... so I will just say thanks for the suggestion. It'll go in the circular file along with almost everything else that comes from you. Don't like what I have to say? Feel free to use the "ignore" function.

On topic: Has anyone actually driven by the old Wisteria location? Something that bothers me is how bright the lights are over the gas pumps... it's especially noticeable when you look across the street at the lights over the Chevron pumps. They're not nearly as bright.

[kimo55]

>Waitaminit. Kimo, you're lamenting the loss of a gas station to a condo/retail complex/anything else? A gas station?
yea. the last gas station for miles around. yea. the last low level. (read ONE story...) structure for miles around. next to the only other one story structure around... a cool lava rock fascade one story building. replaced by another beloved 40 story tower and all our surrounding parking taken away.

>I mean, if you're going to continue the "o woe, the loss of all that is good and wonderful about Hawaii" theme, at least be consistent.

pulEEEEZE don't tell me to be display anyone else's idea of consistency, cuz i don't work for anyone else but me. Until i am a paid writer on these chat room blogs, I will say waddah want. consistency?! In the mind of the beholder.
i bitch about what i wanna.
as lolo Joe does. as anyone else does with impunity. and I am told to be '"consistent"?! worse sins have been committed with no reprimand on dis sandbox. (but I am thankfull the consistent annoying lolojoe mosquito buzzing is swatted by the ignore feature) (but it really is not an ignore feature because there's a reminder ever few inches that says: "Remove user from ignore list - Palolo Joe - This message is hidden because Palolo Joe is on your ignore list." so. yer pretty tightly fhuqued with no crisco, either way here)



>Who says high-density housing sn't the best use ...
probably won't go back to being a pristine rainforest anytime soon
consumer's addiction to car, which leads to freeways and parking lots and dirty air?

OOOhhhhkay. a free for all. not any sense discussing THIS line of thought. cannot, cannot!


>the Wisteria's end was pretty natural. It was in slow, decline for years. It had that old neighborhood charm, but newcomers probably balked

who da phaque cares about what newcomers think?!


>I don't blame 7-11, or evil capitalists,
Hard to fault that,

blame. fault. I am simply in the observationist field. blame, fault? planny of that to go around.

>opportunity to periodically wag our fingers
lament the loss of the "good ol' days,"
but that's a cycle that's gone on for generations

I subcribe to the dictum "the unexamined life is not worth living"
I dun wanna be counted among those that can easily give up and say "well, it's the way of life."
I can't do that. Neither can I have any extreme perspective that says "we gotta get our rainforest back in Kaka'ako!" of course.

it's a little like; "hey; let's do sumpin to curb cancer a lil whaddya think?!"
"oh no! and put alla doctors outta business? and the A.M.A. will hurt. and you really want all those inlaws droppin in on ya and hanging around when they could all be dead and gone?! cancer is the way of the world. it's big business. part of the modern age. accept it. embrace it."

Jesus keerist on a pogostick. ya can't just say "well, let's let all this s#!t happen, cuz it's gonna, and after all, ya really wanna be futtin around in Flintstonemobiles in a thick coconut grove with no roads?

If that will always be the response, I am sadly lacking in my communication skills and have not at all gotten any of my points across or conveyed that it may be a good idea to question rampant overdevelopment.
well o.k. nobody's perfect.

[Palolo Joe]

as lolo Joe does.

The name-calling is cute. But you're still whining.

[GeckoGeek]

Has anyone actually driven by the old Wisteria location? Something that bothers me is how bright the lights are over the gas pumps... it's especially noticeable when you look across the street at the lights over the Chevron pumps. They're not nearly as bright.

Yup. Noticed that the first time I drove past after they turned them on. I'm not so sure that they are too bright as much as they throw too much light sideways instead of down. (But they seem plenty bright too.)

[GeckoGeek]

Hmmm, the one at Cooke and S. King? Tosaro(sp?) Island gas? I don't remember what it's called.

Now that I think of it, perhaps the 7-11 at Kalakaua and Young is newest gas station?

[mapen]

Hehe, it shows the naivety of many opponents of urban development when they say that if there wasn't a concrete jungle in places like Kakaako, there would instead be a lush tropical rainforest with rainbows and waterfalls.

When in fact, the plain that most of Honolulu sits on is pretty dry, and would look more like the brown scrubby sides of Diamond Head or Punchbowl crater most of the year, and would only turn green during seasonal rainfalls.

Sorry for going off topic, just wanted to speak my mind. :p

[oceanpacific]

What originally threw me about 7-11 on the Wisteria site was that there is another 7-11 a few blocks mauka on the Piikoi-Kinau corner. The difference is that the new one will sell gasoline (UnoCal) and compete with the Chevron station across King Street. BTW, the Jack-in-the-Box across Piikoi used to be a UnoCal station twenty years ago.

[mapen]

Now that I think of it, perhaps the 7-11 at Kalakaua and Young is newest gas station?I can't think of when those were built. I woulda thunk that the Tesoro station at Cooke and King might be newer, but I dunno for sure.

I just remembered that the 7-11 gas station across the street from Nuuanu shopping center was built recently (the one that got robbed not too long ago). That might the newest. The newspapers were wrong - gas stations in Honolulu are not dying. Well, just the family owned ones without convenience stores like 7-11 are.

[LikaNui]

What originally threw me about 7-11 on the Wisteria site was that there is another 7-11 a few blocks mauka Kinda like where there are three (or is it four?) ABC stores all in one block in Waikiki, eh?
Guess that's why they call them "convenience stores". Doesn't get any more convenient than that. :p

[kimo55]

Kinda like where there are three (or is it four?) ABC stores all in one block in Waikiki, eh?
Guess that's why they call them "convenience stores". Doesn't get any more convenient than that. :p

ok, this is a good example of cause and effect. for decades, and more and more as the month go by, planners, developers, corporations, politicians, etc. have given many tourists and general visitors what they want, need,ask for, like and demand; More high end shopping as well as discount quicky marts for the consumables and cheap souvenirs. (which is of course a consumable) but most importantly they want it all in a very convenient format. look around. mainlanders saying "i wanna visit. and maybe i wanna move here. But i want my convenience. i want my Starbucks. i want my Cheesecake factory. I want my mainland version of the plastic tikitropics." So. Whaddya know?! It is given to them. here in Waikiki, this has created a landscape of ABC store on every corner and in the middle of every block if the nearest corner is occupied by an immovable object. yes, this is what Waikiki has become, based on what tourists demanded and based on their shopping habits. IF... they did NOT want convenience and all the crap they can get back home, we would probably STILL, to this day have much of "old Waikiki" remaining. But as it is, there is no motivation to retain the old style. You read the papers. talk with the average basic touron on Kalakaua Ave. "Yea. I am glad Trump Tower is moving in. That whole block was looking old fashioned and run down."* This from too many people. So. Don't lament the destruction of Trader Vic's. This is what people want. This is what they get for all their shopping habits and lack of support of the older places, and for the swaying of allegience to the new plastic fake junk. (tho we may hear empty arguements; "Oh no. i am a retro dude. I like all the 50's stuff.")
and those that own the land are simply following the results of studies, polls, surveys, trends, and of course trying to compete with other resorrt destinations. Inasmuch as I hate to admit it, in spite of MY protestations, Trader Vic's and all the old carvings and such have come down. BUT. They all are safe, not tossed out like yesterday's papers. Despite what mainlanders think about how WE feel about Waikiki old tropical decor, everything of value, worth and with any history to the Trader Vic's legacy is well taken care of, is spoken for and will not end up decaying in a rot heap at the dump. But the owners of the International market place and for that matter, any other area of Waikiki, will level the old buildings and plant new upgraded upscale structures in place. T'aint what I would prefer, But until I am a block owner in Waikiki, much of my ranting will end up as useful as an old issue of Sunbums newspaper in tutu's attic. How inconvenient. But I like it that way. I was raised in the old days and it was "inconvenient". But we didn't know it.

*http://starbulletin.com/2007/01/12/business/story01.html

[tikiyaki]

I'll take "old Waikiki" over any Trump Dump any day.
Trump is the AntiChrist IMO.

That's the the thing I like about KONA (and most of the BI) is that it still seems to have that old Hawaii feel to it. The Royal Kona put a Don the Beachcomber's in where the normal restaurant used to be. We ate there and it was good, but pricey of course. Then again the old restaurant was just as pricey. Most of the old tikis were still intact, and they added a new big centerpiece with Giant Tikis (probably not wood carved) and all the S&P shakers were tikis too.

They were in the process of redoing the bar too as Don's, and they even had an old cat playing vibes (tho he was playing to a bunch of loops on his keyboards...modern technology) so, it seems like they're trying to retain some of the classic old hawaii in the ROYAL KONA. And Kailua Kona in general seems to be keeping it pretty old school, tho, for how much longer I don't know. It's way different than Waikiki tho'.

Having not been to Waikiki back in the day, it's still pretty plain to see that it's old charm has been decimated. It bummed me out to see it when I was there recently.

[Miulang]

ok, this is a good example of cause and effect. for decades, and more and more as the month go by, planners, developers, corporations, politicians, etc. have given many tourists and general visitors what they want, need,ask for, like and demand; More high end shopping as well as discount quicky marts for the consumables and cheap souvenirs. (which is of course a consumable) but most importantly they want it all in a very convenient format. look around. mainlanders saying "i wanna visit. and maybe i wanna move here. But i want my convenience. i want my Starbucks. i want my Cheesecake factory. I want my mainland version of the plastic tikitropics."
Kimo, t'ain't just the "tourons" who are encouraging and demanding these changes; the locals share some responsibility for it, too. It's the old paradigm of "the grass always looks greener from the other side of the fence."

Locals come up to CONUS to visit or for college (or see the ads on TV) and are exposed to the mass consumerism of the WalMarts, Tarjets, Trader Joeys and Ikea and when they return to Hawai'i, they say, "we want Circuit City here! We want Best Buy! We want Costco!" . Tourons normally don't patronize those places, but residents do. The immediate effect of having the big boxes arrive in Hawai'i is a perception on the part of residents that this is a good thing because the prices at the big boxes generally tend to be cheaper. But for every positive, there is a negative, the negative being that small businesses have an even tougher time surviving, and thus more and more of "old" Hawai'i disappears.:(

Miulang

[kimo55]

Kimo, t'ain't just the "tourons" who are encouraging and demanding these changes; the locals share some responsibility for it, too.

yep. dass why i illustrated that point with the quote and the newspaper link.

[Kalihiboy]

Will the old 7/11 just a couple blocks down on Kinau Street close I wonder with the new 7/11 opening up on King Street?

KalihiBoy