I recently returned from beautiful place of Hawaii, which is often referred to as paradise. Why, because the scenery and landscape is so beautiful, the climate is perfect (as one local there told me its either hot and dry, or hot and rainy) and does not have a climatic range like Canada. I had the chance to visit all 4 of the major islands, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Big Island. I must say Oahu is vastly different than all the other 3 as it is the most commercialized and has 80% of the entire population of the state of Hawaii. This is the island where the capital city of Hawaii is, namely Honolulu and hence is the most popular destination for tourists when they travel to Hawaii. What has shocked me the most about this city is the number of Japanese tourists who visit Honolulu. Just to give those of you an idea as to how many Japanese tourists visit Hawaii, I was told that if you wish to work in any of the hotels or retail shopping outlets and restaurants, if you do not speak Japanese, that makes your ability of getting hired that much harder. I mean, if you are asian, it seemed that it was customary for you to be greeted in Japanese and with a slight bow as if you were in Japan. Many of the stores and shops posted signs in Japanese, all the tour bus trolley drivers spoke Japanese I really felt as if I was somewhere else instead of Hawaii. To give you an idea of how business’ catered to their main demographic of people, I’ll tell you what I saw in 7-11. 7-11 to me is a place that I think of when you need a refreshing slurpee or some candy. What I saw at a 7-11 in Waikiki (which is the main tourists and hotel district of Honolulu) was Sushi. Yes, sushi on the go. That to me is definitely an example of a business that caters to its target market.
Aside from the culture shock and my surprise as to exactly how many Japanese tourists were there, as I was in the United States, I was actually very happy with it. I mean, imagine if you were Japanese, and you came here on a vacation, and aside from feeling a little lost, or out of place because usually the way of life is quite different from where home is, you come to a place where you are made to feel right at home, people speak your language, and you can even readily have access to the things you could only get at home (I’m referring to Japanese magazines being sold at all local ABC Convenient stores.
Another thing which surprised me as well was the cost of goods in Hawaii. Before leaving for Hawaii, I was told that everything is quite expensive there. Food, shopping, etc. However, aside from the cost of food at restaurants, the cost of goods to me was quite reasonable. I found that most of the goods at shops, stores and boutiques were priced as if they were on the mainland (meaning mainland USA, not mainland China haha), their state sales tax was only roughly 4.5% (sales tax is higher in other states, and way higher especially in Canada). From speaking to locals about the goods, its because there are so many International tourists that are attracted to there (again, mainly Japanese) the goods must be priced so they sell. And believe me, goods sell like crazy, and I mean the luxury stuff as well. Walking through Waikiki, it seemed like an Louis Vuitton or Gucci or Coach shopping bag was as common as a beach bag or beach towel on a beach! I’ve never seen so much of that product being sold at one time. Another thing of these stores was that there was at least 2 of these boutique stores within a 3 mile radius (Coach seemed to be on every block in Waikiki). Again, a great example of knowing your customers. Knowing your customers is key because if you can cater to them, they will buy from you without you even having to sell to them.
Owen
Business Editor
Aside from the culture shock and my surprise as to exactly how many Japanese tourists were there, as I was in the United States, I was actually very happy with it. I mean, imagine if you were Japanese, and you came here on a vacation, and aside from feeling a little lost, or out of place because usually the way of life is quite different from where home is, you come to a place where you are made to feel right at home, people speak your language, and you can even readily have access to the things you could only get at home (I’m referring to Japanese magazines being sold at all local ABC Convenient stores.
Another thing which surprised me as well was the cost of goods in Hawaii. Before leaving for Hawaii, I was told that everything is quite expensive there. Food, shopping, etc. However, aside from the cost of food at restaurants, the cost of goods to me was quite reasonable. I found that most of the goods at shops, stores and boutiques were priced as if they were on the mainland (meaning mainland USA, not mainland China haha), their state sales tax was only roughly 4.5% (sales tax is higher in other states, and way higher especially in Canada). From speaking to locals about the goods, its because there are so many International tourists that are attracted to there (again, mainly Japanese) the goods must be priced so they sell. And believe me, goods sell like crazy, and I mean the luxury stuff as well. Walking through Waikiki, it seemed like an Louis Vuitton or Gucci or Coach shopping bag was as common as a beach bag or beach towel on a beach! I’ve never seen so much of that product being sold at one time. Another thing of these stores was that there was at least 2 of these boutique stores within a 3 mile radius (Coach seemed to be on every block in Waikiki). Again, a great example of knowing your customers. Knowing your customers is key because if you can cater to them, they will buy from you without you even having to sell to them.
Owen
Business Editor