A proposal to control tourism
Consider this:
As we bounce back from the pandemic, we are all shocked and frustrated by the large numbers of tourists who have returned to our island and created chaos on the streets and in the stores. It is my understanding that the number of airplane seats is controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and there is little or nothing that we can do to reduce the numbers more manageable levels. What we can do is to find creative ways to keep them on the resorts, which were designed just for that purpose.
When most of us travel to foreign countries such as Europe, Japan, or Mexico, we never rent cars. Instead, a shuttle bus picks us up at the airport and delivers us to a hotel or resort area where we stay for the remainder of our vacation. If we leave the resort or hotel, it is typically by a guided tour bus. We should be able to find ways to apply that same concept here.
Persons staying in Hawaii for less than a month should not be able to rent a car. This would benefit the resorts and hotels as they would have captive audiences to spend their money where they are staying. Tour companies would suddenly have large numbers of people booking tours to Volcano, Maunakea, and the beaches. Taxi drivers, Uber, and Lyft would all see a benefit — so, local businesses would thrive. Visitors could still purchase goods at Costco, Safeway, and Target, but they would have to do so using Instacart or some similar application. Dive and snorkel companies could arrange for their guests to be picked up. Each resort would need to improve the efficiency of its shuttle bus system.
Special arrangements would need to be made for non-resort areas such as short-term vacation rentals on Alii Drive and in the Volcano area but I think a shuttle system would work well there also. Making it difficult for tourists to leave the resort areas would improve the lifestyles of all of the residents here. There would be less traffic on the streets and in our stores. All of the local businesses would thrive. The only businesses to get hurt would be the car rental agencies. They could just keep smaller inventories and charge more per day.
David Kwiat
Kailua-Kona
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Proving a point?
I applaud all the anti-vaxxers for sticking to their guns and being very vocal about their opinion. Although they may not agree, they are again confirming Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
I encourage them to urge everyone who agrees with them to stick to their guns to the point of dying to prove their point. Anti-vaccine people: the end (yours) is near and when you’re gone, this nation can move on faster toward recovery.
Bryant Ching
Kona
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Today’s solution could be tomorrow’s problem
A current solution is very often the source of a future problem. All batteries die and with the growing popularity of solar power, if there is not a plan to collect and dispose of those batteries, you will have a switch from one environmental problem to another. This will be largely ignored until the problem has gotten out of hand, causing the gnashing of teeth, the pulling of hair and the pointing of fingers.
Dave Kisor
Pahoa
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