The rare pleasure of browsing at Blockbuster

The shrinking video rental store industry — two Hawaii branches are among the 300 being shuttered in the latest Blockbuster slowdown — seems to be looking for the sweet spot enabling its survival.

For several years Blockbuster has been losing market share to technology, with increasing numbers preferring the online and ship-by-mail modes of delivery.

But as some have told the Star-Advertiser in this latest round, there is a still a sector that wants the opportunity for an impulse buy. Those hungry for a flick this very evening would rather not twiddle their thumbs waiting for the mail or endure the impersonal download experience.

There are people who will pay for the pleasure of wandering aisles, searching for who-knows-what. How many people? The jury’s out, but those in this shopper category had better get out and patronize their local shop before it goes, too.

Dining in Hawaii can be oh so romantic

Just in time to make that reservation for Valentine’s Day: 10 Hawaii restaurants have been rated among the 100 most romantic in America, the second-highest showing among the states after California.

Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island each landed three restaurants on the OpenTable.com list; Kauai has one.

The Oahu trio are La Mer at Halekulani, Michel’s at the Colony Surf, and Sarento’s Top of the I.

For the complete 100, see http://www.opentable.com/romantic.

The list was based on nearly 5 million restaurant reviews over the last year. For Hawaii, being an island state with oceanfront venues and stunning sunsets can’t hurt.

And remember, Valentine’s Day is exactly three weeks from today.