1 - American Memory

SB
FOR RELEASE: SUNDAT
SEPTQfflER 19, 1971
6:00 a.n.
OPPICE OF THE MAYOR — •••nty *t blwail, hll«. hiwill ttlt*
September 17, 1971 •HUMICHI KIHUK*
Honorable John A. Burns
Governor
State of Hawaii
State Capitol Building
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
71-9-65
Enclosed are the results of the third weekly survey on the impact of
the shipping strike on Big Island businesses. The same format as the
first two surveys was used.
Businessmen throughout Hawaii County were asked about layoff expecta-
tions. Four hundred and one (401) firms were contacted during the
week of September 12, 1971. Of these 401 firms, thirty-two (32) had
some change from their previous weeks' assessment of the impact on
their employment. Although the total number of past and expected
layoffs dropped from 441 to 436, the number of firms involved rose
by 15 to 133.
The projected layoffs through November at the third week's census
appears to be the same, but the actual time of layoffs seem to have
moved up slightly. A total of 218 workers have already been released.
By the last week of September, 301 may occur; by October, 389 cind by
November 420. Including the 16 layoffs which may occur any time
during the next three months, the number of employees released could
reach 436.
There were several firms who have already shut down operations due to
lack of supplies. The industrial sectors experiencing the greatest
difficulties are manufacturing and construction. More workers have
been placed on shortened work weeks and on forced vacations. Several
firms have cut back their services.
Several retailers have expressed concern of an irrecoverable loss of
Christmas businesses if shipping is not resumed immediately. Many
of the retailers are family operations without sufficient resources
to continue under this situation.
The sugar plantations, a key economic sector of our County, indicated
that they will continue normal operations through September and will
re-evaluate their storage inventory during October.