Letters to the Editor: March 24, 2022

Charges for seashores a ‘actual slap within the face’

Now we have been coming to the Huge Island for the final 20 years, and have been property homeowners since 2013. We spend about 4 to 5 months of the yr right here. Now we have all the time inspired pals and guests to come back, highlighting the general public accessibility of the gorgeous seashores and shoreline for recreation, whale watching, and simply plain chilling. Now we have borne our share of the escalating prices of coming to the Huge Island (electrical, gasoline, meals, property taxes, and many others. and many others. and many others.), however realized that’s the worth we should pay to be right here. As you understand, guests pay extra tax revenues to the state than what it prices the state to offer providers again to them. In 2019, tourism generated an estimated $2.07 billion in tax revenues, which was 25% of whole state tax collections; whereas representing solely 15% of the inhabitants.

Think about our shock, then, after we tried to get into Kauna’oa Seashore (Mauna Kea Resort) and was informed, that along with the very restricted customer parking, there was now a $20 greenback automobile tax for nonresidents. In additio0n to an analogous entrance charge at Hapuna Seashore, there may be the added insult of a $5 greenback per particular person cost. Seashore 69 in Puako can be exorbitant. We perceive that different “public entry” seashores might quickly observe. The draw back of this method is to advertise longer stays on the seashore and in areas with restricted parking resembling Kauna’oa, reduces accessibility to residents and nonresidents alike. Seashores can now not be thought-about “public entry” when you need to “pay to play.”

We are able to now not in good acutely aware encourage anybody to go to Hawaii. While you add up the prices of airfare, lodging, meals, automotive rental, and parking with the added insult of paying for “public entry” seashores, it turns into prohibitive and an actual slap within the face to those that have already invested a lot to be right here. In contrast to short-stay guests, property homeowners and longer-stay renters contribute extra closely to Hawaii coffers. By charging such exorbitant charges, leisure decisions for these people are critically eroded, as going for normal quick swims or sundown views change into economically unfeasible.

Has there been any consideration to permit property homeowners, long-term renters, retirees, the disabled, and/or veterans the identical advantages as residents in seashore accessibility? Or limiting the charges to those that plan to remain longer than an hour? Or charging just for peak hours, permitting free nightfall entry for sundown viewing? In any other case, as phrase will get out, Hawaii might want to begin wanting elsewhere for tax income, as individuals will definitely be on the lookout for a greater worth in a extra welcoming location.

Diane Wallis

Waikoloa

One small victory

The Division of Labor has launched the info on successes and failures of COVID financial insurance policies, state by state, and never surprisingly Hawaii is on the literal backside. Not too long ago, nonetheless, we will rejoice not less than a small victory. March 17, for the primary time in about two years, the brilliant yellow banner commercial on the highest of the West Hawaii At the moment itemizing numbers for COVID new circumstances and deaths on the Huge Island is gone! Might or not it’s that in case you’ve been watching the depend, there have been no new circumstances or deaths within the final a number of days? It’s laborious to maintain the concern going if the numbers, skewed although they’re, present no new circumstances or deaths. There’s gentle on the finish of this darkish, darkish tunnel we’ve lived in for the final two years. Now it’s time to permit a few of that switch of wealth from essential road to the chosen on-line and big-box shops that have been allowed to remain open, to move again to our small companies and “We The Individuals.”

Mikie Kerr

Waikoloa

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