the beautiful shores of Hawaii where most goods are

imported  from the mainland and heavy import cost and

taxes force prices to rise three or four times over what

they are in the rest of the country? Somebody has to be

paying for this as well... and... it'll probably be you if you

end up buying the artwork right there on the spot!)

Find an Internet café and look up your artist. If the

price is good, `hey, you're on vacation, this person was

nice enough to be in the place and time where you

were going to find your best memories, give them

the business.'  But if you find there is a great deal of

difference in price, then it's your choice. In any event, doing

a bit of research even for a small purchase of three or

four thousand dollars can save as much as one

thousand dollars.

If you decide not to pay the premium and you have

an art dealer back home, use your connection there and call

to ask if they would be able to get you the piece. If

your local gallery cannot provide the service, you should

contact the galleries you did find carrying the artist and

make arrangements to perhaps purchase from them.

But if you are visiting the sweet sands of Hawaii and

the artist whose work has struck a chord with you, is a

local and their art doesn't really get off the island...

Well then... you are audience and critic. You alone have to

make the decision if this work's value is true and if you will

submit your approval of the artist, the art and the price by

taking out your wallet and paying the monies asked.