Recently, the multi-million dollar production Waikiki Nei went on hiatus, and now another Waikiki show is taking a break because of a slumping economy.

Multiple-award entertainer Danny Couch is stepping down from the stage for now. His show, "The Voice of These Islands" is feeling the economic pinch. Over the last few months, more than half of the 500 seats have been empty.

"It hurts me," Couch said. "I want to be here to give a lifeline to the people, I want to give hope, that's what my entire show is about is hope."

Couch will use the time off, as much as a month and a half, to work on a CD. He says he will be back on stage soon with a revamped show to reach a wider audience.

Waikiki's Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is also trying to reach more people. The center is now offering four hours of free parking if you eat at one of its restaurants

The relatively new P.F. Chang's has already seen a slight slowdown and the China bistro is hoping the free parking will entice more people, especially Hawaii families, to drive down.

"With the free parking -- that's probably the biggest complaint that locals have about coming to Waikiki -- that they can come down and enjoy some of the aloha we have down here," said Edward Locke, the restaurant's operating partner.

The sluggish economy is helping some businesses. The Salvation Army thrift shop has seen a 33% increase in clothing sales so far this year. And the shoppers are not just low-income families looking for a bargain.

"At one time we were middle to low middle but now we are seeing all levels of the spectrum," said Salvation Army's Rafael Escelera.

While more people are shopping there, the store has seen a drop in the donations of bigger-ticket items like furniture, which goes to show, no one is immune to the economic troubles.

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