The incident happened at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Like, Cali Boy, I never felt so compelled to create an account on citysearch and write a review about my experience. I never been treated so disrespectful in my life until I visited the store. I was very polite to the gentleman in the store. I politely asked him questions all of which he completely ignore and acted like I was bothering him. Despite all that, I ended up buying a cheaper Ukulele as a present for my 5 year old nephew. I thought the gentleman was having a bad day and the store was quite so I wanted to help him out bring in the business.
To my surprise, when Japanese looking couple came in, he greeted them nicely to the contrary. Then when they started speaking Chinese to each other, his reaction changed. He gave them the same dirty look when I stepped into the store.
He then charged me 10 times the amount of the price tag. He said it was a mistake and he has cancelled it. I am fine with that as people makes mistake. I then politely asked him if I could have the store's business card, just in case, the credit card company asked me in the case that incorrect amount did go through. He said he ran out of it. When I argue and became slightly angry. He gave finally give me business card.
It appears that to me that unless you are Japanese, you won't be treated like a human being in this store. If you are other Asian, it is almost guarantee that it would be the worst treatment you ever receive in your life (or anywhere in Hawaii).
I may look young and appear down to earth in my appearance because I am a simple person. But it doesn't justify for this gentleman to treat me as a sub-human being. I am 32 year old director level investment banker from NYC and I have substantial financial resources. My annual income is in excess of 700k which is probably at least 15-20 times more than average Japanese visiting Hawaii. It doesn't matter how much I earn or what my ethnic background is. I do not expect to be treated as royalty but just respectable human being.
more