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In our own community and for the visitor, we offer a colorful experience that cannot be had in other <br />locales. Walking the sidewalks allows one to feel not only place, but time. Although this is subliminal <br />and intangible, it has a stickiness that tends to linger in the memories. This is an asset. <br />Being a retail destination is necessary to survive. When we send out an invitation, we have to deliver in <br />return. The products that we offer must have a value so that there is the exchange, the word -of- mouth, <br />and the circulation of dollars. We cannot assume that the people that are attracted to Downtown Hilo <br />are tourist seeking souvenirs or beach mats. Maintaining a unique stand demands sophistication, savvy, <br />and valued offerings. Surely opening up another Wal -Mart will bring economic vitality, but that does <br />not say we're unique. Let's solicit businesses that promote our lifestyle! <br />At the ocean end of Waianuenue Avenue, the lighthouse stands at Kaipalaoa Landing. There was once a <br />village there, a place where my wife's grandmother was born. There was also a pier that all the whaling <br />ships would stop at, and that is one translation for the place, "Whale Sea ". When the port of Hilo was <br />developed, there was no longer a need for the pier. This small green space could be a wonderful park! <br />When I first moved to front street back in the early 90s, the former tenant of the space told me to work <br />on getting Kaipalaoa Landing to be a park... <br />We have to believe in our district, offer value to our visitor, and at the same time, provide parking, <br />stable rents, and a marketing of our place as one to do business. Encouraging people to live in our <br />Downtown will also enliven our district! <br />Our culture and traditions make up our character and personality. As a people place, these <br />characteristics are part of the value of the experience for our Downtown Hilo. Sharing our personal <br />stories enhance the individual journey and add the special color to the daily routines. <br />I have a friend, Billy Mitchell who recently said that we must always continue to sharpen our fishhooks! <br />This is a metaphor for being alert and on the look out! It's the same as how we offer our Downtown <br />Hilo. We must always re- invent ourselves so that we remain a fresh adventure, not just for our own <br />community to support us, but for all others who might happen on our sidewalks! <br />The biggest challenge that we face is how do we grow without sacrificing our greatest assets. We must <br />look at our economy and devise a plan to encourage growth for the next generation. We need to create <br />an environment that instills pride along with reward so that our children remain. We have to update so <br />that they see the benefits of Hilo as being totally in sync with the world. <br />Oft times, we bring our experiences and emotion to how place should be. I like minimal impact on <br />change here in Downtown Hilo because we are fortunate to have such a "sense of place" and our <br />identity is a benefit. Our community should embrace this very distinct attraction that we have and build <br />upon it, infusing modern but maintaining the romance that we have "preserved." The ability to fuse <br />both our past and the future will take planning and financial muscle, but the integration will be inviting <br />for our own people. <br />M <br />