Hawaii is going through some tough times. We’re facing a budget shortfall just like many other states. I hear so many things from both sides, but what gets me the most is that when the state has a shortfall in revenues, State workers think that it’s unfair that the State cuts back on expenses by furloughs and/or layoffs.

Let me make this perfectly clear, I appreciate any service that anyone provides, public or private. We’re not talking military or people who risk their lives to help others. That’s different, and I think we owe them much more than just gratitude. I’m talking about the vast majority of public sector workers.

Hawaii is experiencing tough times. The governor has already done a lot to trim expenses and increase revenue BESIDES affecting the payroll. Now that we are experiencing another of 3(?) revised shortfalls, public sector workers are fighting against payroll reductions.

I believe there is compromise to be had, but to use the argument that payroll reductions are unfair is RIDICULOUS. In my opinion, Hawaii has too many state workers. I read that California has a 1.5% rate of state workers in the population, where as Hawaii has 3%. It’s fair to assume that some inefficiencies are there.

I do believe we need furloughs and/or layoffs. While I feel for the people affected, the State should operate just like a business. Raising taxes or digging into coffers of other public funds is a crutch that no private business has the luxury of using.

For the love of God, please, this is not about private vs. public sectors. This is about being reasonable and financially responsible. I’m willing to compromise, but to not expect any payroll reduction is crazy.

And one more note, slightly related, in some situations Unions make sense, but for the vast majority of cases, it doesn’t.  I think as a country we should really consider how we use Unions.  Unions are hurting the country more than helping in today’s day and age in my honest opinion.

Right in my local neighborhood, I see signs of trouble.  Tourism numbers are down, people are losing their jobs (example 1:  museum closes, example 2:  Aloha Airlines shutdown), various state projects suspended, and local, long time establishments closing (example 1:  Compadres, example 2:  TGIF, example 3:  Columbia Inn, example 4:  KC Drive Inn).

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My Home: A series about the home buying process through the eyes of a first time home buyer.

If you recall, awhile back I posted that I my daily email updates on the Hawaii housing market was getting scarce…a few changes here and there, and then at the beginning of this week I received an update with 4 price changes…DOWN.  Well, yesterday I got another update…this time with 3 more price changes and one status change from ‘In Escrow’ to ‘Active’ meaning the sale didn’t go through.  One house was reduced 9.5% or $62,000!

I’m hoping this is just a blip, because I hope the slowdown is a gradual one…could this week just be an annomaly or a sign of what’s to come?  If the drop happens to quickly, our economy might take a major hit…

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This post has to deal mainly with the Island of Oahu, but some of it may be applicable to other islands as well.  I’ll try to point out some of the sights, sounds, and tastes you have to check out while in Oahu…on the cheap…for the most part anyway.

Shopping

• Swap Meet:  Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesday @ the Aloha Stadium.  For the best deals, as long as you don’t care about brand names, this is the place to shop.  Never buy based on first price, haggling required!  You might even find a deal like 10 shirts for $10.  It can be a little hot on somedays, so bring water and drinks, unless you want to buy inflated drinks at the meet.
• Kahala Mall, Pearlridge, and Waikele Outlet:  Ala Moana and Waikiki shops get all the press, but there are other malls on Oahu.  Kahala is more of an upscale, laid back mall catered to locals.  Lots of small specialty shops.  Pearlridge, is a mixed crowd type of mall, lots of youngins choose Pearlridge because of games and movies.  Waikele outlet is great for good deals, just be prepared to deal with traffic.
• Costco for Macadamia Nuts:  Almost everyone brings back Macadamia Nuts from Hawaii…there’s no place cheaper than Costco.

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