HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0476.003 2020-2022 Go RE OC,
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From: Bob Douglas CGUNTY OF HAWAII
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2022 10:53 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Comment Comm.476: REQUESTS A DISCUSSION WITH THE ISLAND OF HAWAII VISITORS
BUREAU REGARDING THE DESTINATION MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN AND THE
COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,
RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Aloha and thank you for the opportunity to comment. How many comments have been addressed in the proposed plan however I
have reiterated them to add some specific requirements.
Visitor spending should be broken out by revenue types.One where the revenue is essentially offshored to a corporation in the
mainland or worse internationally.Two revenue that's directed into small business coffers. Not enough attention is being spent on
identifying the actual economic damage of big business.
Tour guides should be licensed by the county. Licensing requirements would be a certificate from the university of Hawaii in visitor
hospitality with an emphasis on cultural aspects to be run by the department of Hawaiian studies.
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Yes we need more restaurants both comfort food and upscale. But we cannot become like every other major city and only have
corporate restaurants with a few local options.The community college should make a concerted effort to up their game and produce
world class executive chefs as well as business managers.
The homeless issue must be humanely addressed. Investing in tiny homes for homeless with shower and laundry facilities would go
along way to cleaning up the downtown areas.Consider giving a homeless personal hygiene vouchers for haircuts and clothes.The
homeless that are habitually intimidating need to be dealt with mental health support.
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In regards to the cruise ships.
1.The cruise ships should no longer be allowed to idle in port burning dirty diesel. Instead they should have to purchase electricity
from Helco.These pollutants are unfairly affecting the native Hawaiian community.
2.Too much of the cruise ship passenger dollars are diverted to Walmart and Target by means of tour buses.The impetus for this is
passengers restocking their cabins as the onboard stores are extremely expensive.Suggest regulating the onboard store prices as it's
a monopoly.
General tourism.Somehow we need to attract more quality visitors rather than quantity.Covid has absolutely proven that we've
been overrun by tourism on this island to the detriment of the locals.
1.A deep dive should be a priority to discover why the tourist dollars are no longer being spent as they once were amongst the small
businesses and art and craft galleries.
2.The downtown areas of both Hilo and Kona are in dire need of an update.This would attract more tourist away from the resorts
and hotels. Derr I suggest rent control for the downtown areas as that is the number one complaint I've heard from people
preventing them from opening up viable businesses.
3. HTA Should promote the small businesses especially during interisland flights and possibly in the airline magazines.They could also
start promoting local artists as well as publishing an artist/art studio directory both onnline and in print.
Aloha, �
Comm. No.
Bob Douglas Ref. To: p 40&
Ref, Date a 5 2622
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