Whether it's tuition and books or Ramen Noodles and Beer, the list of expenses for a college student can go on forever. Like everyone, college students have needs that require money, but unlike everyone, college students find the majority of their time dedicated to class or homework. One might argue that some High School students have similar academic requirements and that combined with extra-curricular activities have an equally demanding schedule. Though both college students as well High School students may have hectic schedules, the key difference between the two is age and the responsibilities and expectations that are associated with it. High School students typically live at home with their parents, and though many have part time jobs, very rarely are they expected to shoulder any significant financial burdens. College students, who are older and typically live on their own, are at the age where independence is wanted and expected, but is it not free. Besides those college students who come from financially advantaged families, the majority of us are found trying to juggle full-time school while maintaining an independent adult life. It is this combination of a demanding school schedule and the need to be financially self supportive, that puts us college students in unique and especially challenging category. Now with this common dilemma, there has long been a common solution. Where can an energetic college student work part-time hours, make relatively full-time money, and not have it conflict with school? The answer is the restaurants, bars, and banquet rooms of America. Working within the service industry has long been a successful plan of attack for the self sustaining college student. Now considering Oahu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, a college student would think securing a restaurant job here would be essentially securing your financial needs. But, the unfortunate reality is that tourism in Hawaii is at its lowest in years. This meaning that all of the restaurants, bars, and banquet rooms that were at one point brimming with tourists and potential tippers, are now as empty as ever. The fact that our struggling economy is directly affecting Hawaii’s tourism industry, and in turn, directly affecting Hawaii’s service industry is undeniable. So, now that this financial crutch in which countless college students rely on is falling out from under us, what can we do? We can either choose to not believe it, hope for the best, and see what happens. Or, we can face the facts, accept the reality, and take the necessary steps now to ensure our security and independence later.

Before facing the harsh reality of our poor economic situation, I wanted to make sure it was true first. I wanted to find out if Hawaii, everyone’s paradise, was really struggling to attract tourists and money. To answer this question I went to the Halekulani Hotel and resort in Waikiki. Located off the beaches of Waikiki and Kalia street, the Halekulani is arguably the finest hotel in Honolulu in terms of luxury, service, and cliental. It is host to the French Restaurant La Mer, the only five diamond restaurant in all of the islands of Hawaii. Also, just two weeks ago, while in town to perform at the Blaisdell Center, rapper Li’l Wayne chose to stay at the Halekulani. So considering its status, accomplishments, and cliental, the Halekulani would be great standard in which to measure how the upper end hotels in Waikiki were doing right now. When briefly speaking with the Halekulani’s banquet manager Ronan Sakai, I asked him a few direct questions regarding to the how business is going right now compared to a year ago. He being extremely busy directly replied “it is not even comparable, house counts are down dramatically from a year ago”. When I asked about how he predicts business to be in the future he replied “I see it only getting worse”. After my short interview with Ronan I met with a banquet server who is currently enrolled at UH Manoa, when I asked him about business right now compared to a year ago he said “it’s amazing how incredibly different things are now from compared to only a year ago. Last year I was wishing I had a Friday or Saturday night off to go out. I was working, in my mind then, too much. Now, I have too many Friday and Saturday nights off, with no money to go out”.

After getting these two personal accounts of poorly the service industry is in Waikiki, I have no choice to accept the fact that the restaurant job in Hawaii is not what it used to be. We as college students can no longer depend solely on our serving jobs to pay the bills. We must look to alternative sources of income as well as lifestyles to make it through these tough economic times. We must consider researching and applying for scholarships, student loans, bank loans, and credit cards. We also can decide on new ways in which to live our lives that will fit into a tighter budget. For example, less drinking, less eating out, taking the bus or riding a bike rather driving a car. We can also look for jobs outside of the service industry, jobs that don’t pay quite as well as a server position, but make up in convenience and location. For example, an on campus job where the compensation isn’t too high, but where one can work before, between, and after class.

There are countless options, alternatives, and ways in which we college students can combat these economically stressed times. The first step is raising awareness and to recognize the issue exists. The next step, well, that’s up to you.

Rainbow Connection Staff Writer