KAILUA-KONA — It pays to be fit. Health experts would agree.
But if a proposed tax incentive pitched by the county goes through, it could, well, literally pay to be fit.
In an effort to bolster Kailua-Kona’s healthy, athletic image across the world — as well as keep the triathlete championship race here — policymakers are in the final steps of changing the tax structure that would not only incentivize healthy living, it would pay those who maintain it.
And a $25 dollar gift card this isn’t.
The proposal calls for dropping all property taxes for triathletes who complete one race a year while maintaining a body fat percentage of 9 percent or lower.
“This is our way of giving back,” said County Councilman Justin Lected. “Those guys and gals are out there everyday — not at work, running errands or doing chores or yard work — but training their behinds off. They deserve special perks. It’s like they’re almost real professional athletes in that way.”
Part of the goal is to turn Kailua-Kona into the fittest sport capital of the world — a place where everyone is wearing bicycle helmets and looking at their own reflections as they whiz past storefront windows.
The other half of the goal is to sweeten the bargaining pot.
TriSteele’s 10-year contact ends next year. So, in an effort to sign a new deal with the sport giant that would keep the world championship race in Kona every year, the county is rolling out the red carpet, or better yet, bike lanes.
In addition to the tax break, officials are planning on turning Alii Drive into a bike-and-pedestrian-only traffic area so the scenic street looks like the finish line year round.
“It’s too congested down there anyway,” said roads supervisor Nomar Lanes, “And think of all the exhaust that collects on the farmers market vegetables.”
He added that the switch should ease tension — and confusion — between cyclists and motorists because nobody knows what traffic rules cyclists have to follow, anyway.
There’s no doubting TriSteele and Kona’s rich history together.
The race first came to town in 1988, shortly after the sport was invented when its creator, Timothy Hastime, inherited a lot of money and was looking for equipment to spend it on before co-ed softball had been invented. Every year since, tens of thousands of visitors fill Kona’s hotels, dine in restaurants and bring a protein-packed boost to the local economy.
“I think we deserve it,” said local triathlete Quad Bulging, adding the break will help defray the cost of shipping his bike to the mainland for races. “It’s not that we’re better, we’re just super elite.”
But not everyone is on board.
Some officials point to the lost $90 million in revenue the county would suffer with the tax break, which would mean shuttering the proposed Styrofoam and plastic bag museum. And Alii Drive restaurant owner Mainlan Bucks says incentivizing triathlete living, especially along the main drag, will crush his business.
Part of the Alii change would mean cruise ships wouldn’t be allowed to dock at the pier. Bucks said his business couldn’t survive on salad-heavy, disciplined diets that triathletes are famous for. Instead, it’s the ball-capped, football-shirted cruise crowd that fills his coffers.
“Six beers and two entrees each,” he said. “And that’s just lunch.”
The council will vote on the proposal at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Anyone who wants to submit testimony should call 401-2017.