HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0533.090 2000-2002 Ulay-28-OZ 08:51 am Fram-Ott SALES +8088861832 T-05Z P.Ot/O1 F-397
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A+la~y 28, 2002
A Celebration of Uivrrsiry
The ~[onorable Jarraes Arakaki
Chairtraan
Co~araty Catgncil
County of Hawaii
I,etcer via lax 961.8912
Tesoay ®pp®sing 13eadget Cats €®r the p>r®matl®ns ®f 1~I~ Ysl~nd Gr®up d
l~ig Is~na3 Ylsl~rs Bwre~u
Dear Coutacil Chair JarraeS Arakaici and members of the Ca~ancil;
Thank you for the opportuaaity to share roy testimony. I arra iaa the wane situation
as yoaa, balancing budgets especially following 9/l l.l''3ut cuttitag prorYaotional funds for
Big Island Croup (BICr) aaad l~ig Islalad Visitors Bureau (~IVB) will undermine, a~th~
than eaahance your bottom liras.
p6.otels, ~~c13's, hostels mad master- planned resorts are responsible for a large
huaalc of flee tai. geventae needed to operate public services for State of Hawaii ~d County
of Iiawafi ~raually. On flee Big Island, we employ 15-20°/® of tYae vvorkforcc ire Kilo for
hotel and retail busiaaesses and employees who work on the west side, but live on the cast
side contribute a fir share daily to flat G®uaaty 1Viass Transit.
In additaon to the TAT, flee resideaatial homes within these master- plamaed resorts,
also contribute to the real property taxes.
Then, why do the hotels and resorts need $225,000 plus for promotions?
VVe, and that's all of >JS in this room., arc responsible for the welfare of residents of
the Bi,~ Islatad of Hawaii. BI~a and BI'VB use our coaanty promotional Iiaaads to bolster the
shoulder (sofe rraonths) and to raise hotel occupaaacy levels, which in tuxra generates the
revenue back. to yoga in flee forma of a TAT. 'Without these f>aiads our cffor~ aro zero.
Our investments ire each other enables people to live grad work on Hawaii's Big
Islaaad
Th~k you for the opportunity to present my testiat2oray. I apologize for not being
wit1~ you this axaorniatg. I retutxaed from Japan, last night, promotiaag the Big Island of
Hawaii as a visitor destiaaation to the Japanese rtaarlcet.
Alo , ' \ y"
Robin IC. Graf
Cxexaeral Maaaager Outrigger ~V'aikoloa Beach
President
Big Island Cxroup, BIG
Gc The fonorable Barry Kiaxa, Mayor Couaaty of Ilawaii
T~ Honorable County Council Mearabers, County of Hawaii
J~,ae Testa, Director County of Hawaii R~iD
Board 1dletnbers,l3lG ~ BIVB
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