One example I can give is that prices for designer goods in Japan and some other parts of Asia for Louis Vuitton products are higher than in Hawaii. Louis Vuitton products never go on sale, when they are discontinued, the left overs are destroyed. Keeping their prices inflated. I find the prices in Honolulu for LV to be the same as on the mainland.

So Hawaii has cheaper prices than in Asia, plus a 20% discount (due to low USD compared to other world currencies) on a $450 wallet, $2,000 rolling luggage, or $4,000 handbag, that adds up fast.

Sales of high end stores like Nordstrom are tanking on the mainland. Everyone is over extended, upside down on their mortgages, or hurting from the high gas prices, etc. This is in comparison to tourist heavy areas, where foreign money pours in due to the instant discount, like HNL or NYC. The people shopping on 5th avenue are not locals, but more likely than not, european or asian tourists.