Sunday, July 30, 2017
Waii not Hawaii?
Somebody on radio mentioned the well-known high cost of living in Hawaii. She said that everything except sugar needs to come from the US mainland. Gasoline, cars, refrigerators, all made on the mainland and shipped to Hawaii.
First thought: Fridges and most other 'durable goods' are no longer made in USA STRONG. They're made in China. Why doesn't Hawaii just get the stuff directly from China and skip the middleman?
Second thought: Hey. Hawaii has ALWAYS been a crucial midway point in transPacific shipping. Why didn't Hawaii ALWAYS take advantage of its midway status to become a shipping and trading center, getting its stuff from whichever direction is cheaper?
In other words, why didn't Hawaii become another Singapore?
Every midway point on land and sea takes advantage of its midness. Even highway intersections between small towns develop midway facilities. I was thinking recently about a place called Bill's Corner at the intersection of US177 and US64. Halfway between Ponca and Stillwater and halfway between Perry and Pawnee. Not a major trade route by any means, but enough to support a restaurant and gas station.
Incidentally, Googlestreet shows that the restaurant and gas station I remember from the '50s and '60s are still there but long abandoned. A new and active truck stop is on the opposite corner.
Labels: Asked and unanswered
¶ 3:43 PM
