Maui, the Hawaiian islands second largest in both population and mass, is home to many fine surf breaks. The most famous, Peahi (or Jaws) breaks off the north shore and dazzles with its girth. Ma’alaea Harbor (or Freight Trains) breaks off the south shore and excites with its speed. But the most picturesque, the most delightful, the most iconic is certainly Honolua Bay. The near perfect point break, called “the best in the world” by Australian surfing legend Mark Richards, has hosted World Surf League events and has even been graced by the greatest athlete on earth Kelly Slater.
More importantly, though, it provided the inspiration for the surf clothing and lifestyle brand Honolua Surf Co. The beloved label, founded in 1995, was scooped up by Billabong in 2004 thus becoming part of the Authentic Brands Group acquisition and handed over to Liberated Brands.
Oh no.
Liberated, as you know, declared bankruptcy and now all ten of its Maui stores are shuttering.
The layoffs of dozens, or more, employees potentially devastating but worse, according to Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap is President Donald J. Trump’s growing antagonism toward Canada. New levies against the Great White North, she shared with Island News, are discouraging Canadians from visiting.
“They’re (Canadians) saying these tariffs are an issue now because they’re trying to protect the Canadian policy, so we’re seeing a lot of things that are sort of double or triple whammies to our economic health,” she said.
Canadians, traditionally, make up the largest tourist bloc visiting the Valley Isle.
I’ve always found Canadians to be extremely pleasant, when traveling, and can understand Ms. Tumpap’s frustrations. Would have been a lot cooler if Trump made trade war with Brazil.
Still time, I suppose.
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