MERRIE MONARCH 2011 REMEMBERED

Dateline - Hilo, Hawaii

It was announced today that the Hilo Merchants Association is presenting the 'Te Tu Mataora', a Maori performing group from Palmerston North, New Zealand, with its 'GOLDEN CASH REGISTER AWARD'.  The award is presented to the person or persons who contribute most 'lolly' to local merchant's shoppes.

The 54 member strong troupe landed on the Big Island on April 24, 2011, Easter Sunday and the local economy was never the same again.

The New Zealanders were the closing act on Wednesday, April 26, 2011 of the Opening of Merrie Monarch Celebration.  Capturing the sell out crowd's heart with an electrifying performance that brought the crowd to feet begging for more, the Maori went on to become a force to be reckoned with in the local shoppes.

The Merrie Monarch Festival is to Hilo merchants what 'Black Friday' is on mainland.  Many a local business turns its yearly profit on this event.  This year, the 'Te Tu Mataori' was the not so secret Santa to local merchants.  The 54 member strong troupe of performers pumped tens of thousands of dollars into the tills of businesses through out the Hilo Area.  Not the least of which was the Hilo Bay Hostel that hosted the troupe for 8 days.

Blane's Drive-In, Bear's Cafe, Sharky's, Sack and Save, Tattoo shoppes, Kress Theatre, Ross for Less,Walmart and many others got a much needed boost in sales from the visiting troupe from Palmerston North.

This paper says Ross is having a sale

Peter, one of the troupe leaders, reading list of things to do and prepare for in Hilo.  At top of list was the list of shoppes in Hilo prepared to separate the troupe members from their dash.  Never was there a group so eager to hit the shoppes in search of deals.

Cash needed to shop local shoppes

 Our merry band of Maori do not like to use credit.  Cash is so much easier to hand over, and rumour has it can produce a extra savings. 

Guys shop as well

The chappie with the trolley knows a good deal when he sees one.  Proves the point that the ladies were not the only shoppers in the troupe.

What a lot of SALES....

Did you ever hear of 'shop till you drop'?  It must be an American saying, as the deal seeking New Zealanders could not contain selves from going back over and over for more things to take home.

Rumour has it that management at Macy's was gutted at the amount of lost business and has sent staff to a seminar to learn how to capture visiting Maori...

Sweets are a good buy as well

Less one think the deals were just for the adults, there was plenty of time to hit local shoppe that caters to the sweet tooth.  Rather think all of the youngsters were over-joyed at all of the boiled sweets.

Make that 54 orders

Shopping can make one right hungry and our troupe from New Zealand was no exception.  Local KFC must have been gobsmacked at so many hearty eaters coming in at one time.

Take Away - Hilo style x 54

Rumour has it that local chickens breathed a sigh of relief when the visiting Maori returned to Palmerston North, New Zealand.  What with the taste for fried chicken and using a massive number of eggs daily for English style Breakfast, the demand had taxed the local farmers to the limit.

I think we need a bigger plane

What a mountain of luggage.  AND this is but part of the departing collection of bags stuffed with loot returning to New Zealand.  Rumour has it Hawaiian Airlines was over the moon at the extra fees generated by our lovely Maori troupe.