Reporting live, in my Hawaiian shirt

Is there a downside to the president’s habit of wintering in Kailua? Besides the occasional traffic diversions, we mean?

Judging by the reporting habits of most of the Washington press corps, this is a win-win for all concerned. Retailers here make extra sales of Hawaiian attire to the on-camera staffers (can’t get the national media to call them "aloha shirts," it seems). The news reports themselves are fluff, but for the tourism industry, any live shot with palm trees in the background is all good.

Finally, the reporters get to claim they’re working, even though most of these shots are taken in the vicinity of the Moana Surfrider, where many are staying, while the prime target of their coverage is in Kailua. Funny that they’d come 3,000 miles but forego the last 10.

Ah, well. Just as long as they pay their room tax and buy loads of stuff, all is forgiven.

Another ferry for Hawaii

Just in case the Obama-rama doesn’t provide enough tourism buzz, there’s the banner on the Washington State Ferries website.

Next month, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is buying ads, the revenue from which will help offset Washington state budget cuts.

It’s too bad there couldn’t also be a Hawaii poster aboard the ferry. The islands would really sell to people braving Pacific Northwest waters in January.