This is outrageous and appalling. One local person, Debbie Hecht, said she was harassed while swimming in our public pool by several wannabe Ironmen that thought that she did not belong in their pool, but they thought that they did These are not the making of an Ironman. They can’t even practice in the ocean. Why then are they allowed to enter the Ironman contest where you have to swim in the ocean. I’m sure that Ms. Hecht pays her taxes as well as the rest of us that live here to support our pool. I hate to say it, but possibly we should ban non-locals from using the pool. That is what it is coming to. Every year the good people of Kona preach to the locals to treat the iron people with “aloha.” Problem is, they didn’t bother to tell the iron people about aloha, or possibly the iron people do not care about aloha.
Ironman brags about how much money they bring to Kona. I rather doubt their inflated numbers. Let’s have an impartial audit to really find out. Ironman started out as a small race in Oahu. It has grown and now is big business. If it started out in Hawaii, why then is its headquarters in Florida. Big business, that is why. Since it is now big business, let them have their race in big cities like Miami, Chicago, Los Angels or New York where big businesses belong. So, a lot of all their big money that they make goes to Florida. From what we understand, there is an entry fee. With this in mind, their incentive is to get more people in the race. More people equals more money in Ironman’s pocket with no regard to what it is doing to small town Kona.
Kona missed out on two cruise ships because of Ironman. Not to mention how many tourists stay away because of Ironman congestion. We have driven along Alii Drive many times when there is no Ironman. Guess what, the shops and restaurants are generally full. You don’t need Ironman to fill the restaurants. Do these Ironmen pay tips. Ask some of the waiters. How many businesses had to close because of the Ironman race? How many workers went without pay because their business was closed for Ironman.
From what we have heard, there was a survey during Ironman asking peoples’ opinion of Ironman. That was a very biased survey since most of the people in attendance are probably in favor of Ironman. Those opposed to Ironman were not included, either because they stayed away from Ironman or left the island. To be fair, everyone’s opinion should be considered. This could be done at voting time by putting it on the ballot. I would hate to see this decided in court.
Mayor Mitch Roth, this is one vote against Ironman completely. At most, it should be limited to one day with a maximum of 400 entries. I’m sure Ironman big business would not like that! Ironman, you have worn us out and overstayed your Kona welcome; now it is time to move on.
Ted Johnson is a resident of Kailua-Kona
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