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Shoppers Get Early Jump On Holiday Buying

Some Customers Wait In Line Hoping For Special Offers

POSTED: 9:17 pm HST November 26, 2009
UPDATED: 9:38 pm HST November 26, 2009

While most people enjoyed their day home gathered with the family for a turkey feast, many people spent their day shopping or in line for the Black Friday deals.

A number of people gave up their Thanksgiving Day at home to be first in line for Black Friday bargains at Best Buy in Iwilei.

A tent city started springing up on Wednesday. A similar site could be seen in Pearl City.

Campers spent hours waiting for the Friday opening at 5 a.m.

"I came out 8:30 last night. It was pouring rain over here, and set up tent," Waipahu resident Stephanie Fuentes said.

Fuentes said she and her brother will take turns driving home to Waipahu in the evening to get a bite of turkey.

"We are kind of playing tag team," Fuentes said.

Others, who spent time in line playing cards, said relatives will bring them their turkey dinners.

All campers planned to get a limited supply of bargain TVs and computers.

Others shoppers went out during the day, shopping from Waikiki to Waikele.

In Waikiki's luxury row, stores catered mostly to tourists.

At Ala Moana Center, there was plenty of parking. While, it appeared to be a ghost town, the corporate partners stores of Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy were opened for the first time on the holiday.

"We knew that they would be opened and we figured we would get a head start on Christmas shopping," Honolulu resident Sue Lee said.

"I came to buy a suit because I am going to a friends wedding and I don't have any time so got to get it today," Honolulu resident Paul Lee said.

Waikele Premium Outlet was opened for its seventh Thanksgiving.

"Since the economy has been bad a lot of people come to the outlets rather that go to the retail stores in town," said Matthew Mejia, of Crazy Shirts Waikele.

The open stores were a boon for a hardcore shopper like Pearl City resident Jean Kaneshiro.

"I don't like to stay home. I like to be out because I don't cook," Kaneshiro said.

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