Just how bad do things have to get before people start facing reality? It's not 2006 anymore, but there are pockets of folks holding on to the illusion of the good old days, holding out as if this is just some tropical economic storm that will hit cooler waters before it becomes a hurricane.

Hotel occupancy is way down this summer in Hawai'i, but have you tried to find a truly great kama'aina deal? They're not that great. Rooms are still over $160 a night and the "deep discounts" only go as far as the cheapest, smallest rooms and the ones that face the Dumpsters in the alley. If you want to take the whole family and stay in a suite, good luck finding any kind of great rate. The big rooms and the ocean view wings are still full price. "Great summer deal" means validated parking and a coupon for continental breakfast in the lobby.

Likewise the many feature stories about salons still doing great business and doggy day spas still booking poodle pedicures. Times are tough but few are waxing and highlighting at home, and apparently dogs get accustomed to a certain standard of living.

But the best/worst example is the protracted beef between the governor and public worker unions. Are the unions just hoping they can drag this out long enough for the economy to turn around so their members won't have to feel a thing? The big score wasn't the judge's decision striking down furlough plans; it was the affirmation that the terms of the expired contracts remain while new contracts are being negotiated. That's the golden ticket.

Gov. Lingle is right to demand the unions come to her with a formal written proposal. The days of "talk story" get-togethers are long past, if they ever did exist between a Republican governor and the Democratic-supported public workers unions. "Talk story" sessions are for backyards, summer camp and inpatient rehab, not hammering out how to make up a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall.

The best guessers in the country can't say exactly when this recession will be over. Estimates from the experts vary greatly. But no one is saying that the sun is going to come out of the dark clouds any time soon.

There are many people who have had to face the staggering reality of kid's college savings gone, retirement plans gone, jobs cut, hours cut, pay checks slashed. It's pretty hard for us to watch the pretending of those who refuse to acknowledge they're in the same leaky boat as we are.