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War and Business in Honolulu LESLIE A. HICKS, PRESIDENT, HONOLULU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Note: The figures representing retail and wholesale sales are prepared by the gross income division of the Territorial Tax Office and are not to be construed as representing the true picture of sales only insofar as sales can be reflected by the payment of gross income taxes. For example, 1941 wholesale sales to the government on defense jobs were not taxed, but in 1942 such sales were taxed; but unless the sales are taxed they are not reflected in the gross sales figures prepared by the tax office. It will be noted that all statistics in the accompanying article are based on figures up to and including June, the latest available as we go to press. E Conditions of war have sharply altered many phases of Honolulu’s business set-up, although the volume of retail and wholesale trade since the first of the year has mounted to the highest totals to date in the city’s history. The gains have not affected all lines equally, and many establishments are doing less business as a result of restrictions now becoming nationwide. It is noteworthy that Honolulu is able to maintain a high level of trade while functioning as a front line in the Pacific war area. One outstanding loss is the discontinuance of tourist travel, worth millions of dollars a year before the war. This loss can be said to have been made up by the sharp rise in gross volume of business from other sources. It is also noted that shipping conditions have improved, with the result that commodity and merchandise stocks, which were badly depleted within a short time after Pearl Harbor, have been replenished , and in some cases in proportions that are approaching normal. Honolulu business interests, through the Chamber of Commerce of 78 First published September 1942. Honolulu, are continuing to adhere closely to a policy of cooperation with the Office of the Military Governor and with other authorities in the war effort, and the program of the Chamber, and of business generally , for the current year is geared to that effort. On the basis of gross income tax collections, retail trade in Honolulu in June totaled $19,306,844, compared with $13,864,758 in the corresponding month in 1941, an increase of $5,442,086. Wholesale business in June amounted to $10,923,904, against $10,832,728 in the corresponding month last year, a gain of $91,176. In the first six months of 1942 the volume of retail and wholesale trading in Honolulu was $157,945,845, compared with $126,909,851 in the same interval in 1941, or an increase of $31,035,994. The volume of retail and wholesale trading in the Territory in the first half of this year was $176,218,019, against $144,226,736 in the corresponding period of 1941, an increase of $31,991,283. Shipments of sugar have not been as large as during the corresponding interval last year, due to the war and the uncertainties of transportation. However, the showing is considered good, and indications are that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the whole of the 1942 crop will be landed at market. In June, shipments amounted to 91,060 short tons,compared with 134,440 in June last year.In the first half of this year, shipments totaled 338,612 short tons, against 527,943 in the corresponding 1941 interval.The task before the island plantations is to produce all the sugar they can as a vital wartime necessity.The current spot price for raws continues at the ceiling level of 3.74 cents a pound, or $7,480 a short ton. Hawaii’s pineapple canneries have been in full-scale production. The industry as a whole is on a wartime basis because the companies are packing to fill government contracts. Government procurement orders will require 34 percent of the 1942 pack and 14 percent of the canned juice pack, all to be set aside for the armed forces and other governmental agencies. Immediate problems include not only labor supply but transportation of fruit between the islands. It is pointed out that the tin conservation order permits use of sufficient tin plate to take care of the current pack year. Shipments of juice in June totaled about 850,000 cases, compared with about 1,400,000 in June last year. In the first half of 1942, shipments totaled about 5,300...

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