We were wandering around Kehei for an afternoon and wandered into this store to have a look around. Not looking for anything in particular, just seeing what kind of things could peak our interest. My fiance and I were the only two in the store (after our experience I know why) The owner and a female friend were chatting and I thought nothing of it as I browsed the mountains of things. Let's me clear, there is nothing "endangered" in this store, it is all old garage sale stuff, everything from old, beat up MacDonald's toys to old furniture.
We got to I guess what was mid-store and this statue thing started talking, saying something about if you bought something from the front half of the store you may enter but if not there was an admission fee.
Now, we're Canadian, I have 2 university degrees, we are both intelligent beings and I honestly thought it was a joke. My fiance marched on, and I kinda stood there confused for a second. There was a box there with a handful of bills in it! Surely this can't be serious! The owner quickly came to the back and I think he was trying to be tactful... letting us know that "usually the back of his store isn't open to the public, he's just trying to clear out some 'inventory'". I didn't even know what to say because it sounded so ridiculous. I was just kinda like "oops sorry" (how very Canadian of me). Then to really drive 'er home, the woman said "well I thought it was pretty clear" like I was an idiot! Forgive the stupid Canadians for never being to a garage sale that charged admission! Even if there was something I was interested in purchasing, there was NO chance I'd buy anything from that store now. I've never felt so uncomfortable in a store. I have never felt so unwelcome in Hawaii, one of the friendliest states I have traveled to!
I hope the owner reads some of these reviews and realizes that something is not right with his attitude. I see others have had the same types of uncomfortable experiences my fiance and I had today. You catch more bees with honey my friend, stop pushing the vinegar. read more