Time to control tourism
All of Hawaii’s government needs to reconsider how to think about tourism. A few days, ago a mainland tourist assaulted a young resident of Maui for informing him and his family about Hawaii’s COVID masking protocol. I’ve witnessed tourist saying to store employees “We don’t do this where we come from” and giving them attitude.
The days of Hawaii’s tourism being in harmony with Hawaii went away with the advent of time share sales, short-term rentals in residential and agricultural zoned areas and the advent of smart phones and social media. A major paradigm shift is needed or the quality of life for islanders will continue to be sacrificed at the alter of the hordes coming here, many of whom have the attitude that they can just do as they please because that’s what they do where they come from.
It’s past time to control it rather than let it control us. We should not be funding it, it should become something that enhances life here in Hawaii.
Les Iijima
Waikoloa
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Lifeguards do
an amazing job
I would like to thank the lifeguards at Kona Community Aquatic Center swimming pool for their an amazing job of keeping the pool safe. They are following all the rules and still being professional and friendly. I feel extremely safe swimming there. Thank you so much.
Gayle Buckwalter
Kailua-Kona
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What has happened
to our country?
Republicans had no qualms about spending $8 million dollars and holding 33 Benghazi investigations focused on Hilary Clinton. Congress spent more time investigating Benghazi than they did 9/11. Less people died in the Benghazi terror attack on foreign soil than under our own Capitol Dome on Jan. 6.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Kevin McCarthy (R-California) fight the truth more than domestic terrorists. They are two disgraceful Trump sycophants. They care more about power than the safety of the Capitol police and our legislators.
Marian Hughes
Waimea
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Don’t overlook
the needs of residents
North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba got it right. Taking $359,000 (or some portion thereof) from the Department of Research and Development’s $459,000 line item for tourism promotion could be better used elsewhere — for now. Re-applying these funds for fire station needs, Parks and Recreation, etc. will have a direct and immediate benefit to Big Island residents. We spend a lot of time commenting on tourism issues, but we can never overlook the needs of our local residents.
Our island is very popular. Visitors come because of our island’s beauty, people, and lifestyle. These attractions will continue to bring visitors. There are many other outside sources that advertise Hawaii, and we can afford to refrain from spending such funds on tourism this year.
Mahalo Councilmen Holeka Inaba as well as Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder, and Chairwoman Maile David for supporting Inaba’s perspective. This type of leadership strengthens our County Council.
Likeke Bumanglag
Kailua-Kona
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