"It was crazy, there were people waiting outside waiting to get in, like craziness" said worker Mallory Koanui. "It was a frenzy, it was exiting and it’s going to go and go til probably past 9 tonight."
"We were here from 3 o’clock this morning," said Ranya Okazaki who was taking a break after going strong for eight hours. "How many trips to the car already with bags? Three times!"
And that would explain the gridlock in the parking lot. Many shoppers made multiple trips to their vehicles simply to unload.
"I’ve been shopping since 4 in the morning big lines but everyone is friendly," said Tammy Blatter who was sorting her receipts. "Just checking the damage not too bad yet, no don’t tell my husband, $200 right now maybe got some good deals though."
While Blatter is a veteran of Black Friday, Genessis Ramirez admits she’s very new to all of this.
"This actually my first Black Friday that I do and it’s pretty insane," said Ramirez. "Sometimes I feel like claustrophobic."
But like thousands of others, spending was unavoidable.
"Probably like $300."
Early numbers indicate businesses are seeing a spike in sales compared to last Black Friday and shoppers say that’s bringing out the beast in all of us.
"It’s violence, it’s crazy it’s like animals," said Mia Masuda. "It’s our animalistic instinct comes out when we see something for sale it’s scary."
Masuda says that frenzy can make shoppers grab items they don’t even need. "I don’t need this sweater I live in Hawaii why am I wearing a sweater."
What she did need was a cup of joe to keep her going.
"I needed this coffee so now I’m even more ready," said Masuda. "Watch out people!"
Retailers are hoping the madness continues.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
