A few unconnected things to ponder today… A strange phenomenon is unfolding right before our eyes. While parking spaces seem to be ever-shrinking and parking lots seem to be adding “compact car only” signs regularly, the actual car-buying habits of local folks are going in the opposite direction. Yup, wide(r) bodies. According to Hawai`i Automobile Dealers Association 2020 figures, small car market share has fallen by 8% here since 2017. The share of cars purchased in 2020 was just 31%, while light trucks (including pickups, SUVs and vans) is now at 69%. Perhaps spaces should be marked “contact” instead of “compact”, because the wiggle room to get in and out of one’s vehicle (especially after accounting for the average 2020 COVID-19 weight gains mentioned here last week) is becoming non-existent.
Moving on… I was fortunate enough to get my COVID vaccine from HPH recently at Pier 2. The experience was quick, organized, calm, professional, efficient, informative, and angst-free. Volunteer helpers, orange flag wavers, parking lot assistance, pleasant check-in assistants, etc. I’ve heard similar stories about the DOH windward site and Queen’s Medical vaccination sites. To stem the tide against yet another resurgence, we need to keep the crowds coming.
And we also need to go deeper into the hinterlands to vaccinate those who can’t or won’t come to designated sites as we work harder to attract the disproportionate, underserved communities and those still skeptical and/or disenfranchised. As of late March, Hawai`i, even with its perceived methodical rollout of vaccines, had vaccinated the 8th most adults of any state, per capita. We haven’t won yet, not even close (with about 70% of adults still not fully inoculated here), but safeguarding Hawaii’s population efficiently will reap big benefits for businesses, consumers, doubters, our species, and our collective psyche. Kudos to the ‘Vid vanquishing valiant vaccinators!
Finally, as is apparently my annual destiny, I moved quickly into the “L” bracket with my NCAA basketball picks. You know, the “Losers”. I thought Illinois looked great down the stretch, but, unfortunately “Fighting Illini” was an oxymoron, as they put the “ill” in Illinois by bowing out meekly in the 2nd round. Yet, I have a shot at redemption with my NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey picks- the so-called Frozen Four. My basketball air balls did make various, competitive family members quite happy. Good for them! They’re out of my will, though.
Think about it…