HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0852.007 2010-2012 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura £OI A. S 2
From: Kohala Coast Resort Association [kcra @hawaiiantel.biz]
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 11:44 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Spam Support for Res. 307-12
Attachments: Support for Res. 307-12.pdf
If this email is not spam, click here to submit the signatures to FortiGuard - AntiSpam Service.
Aloha, attached is testimony in support of Res. 307-12
Mahalo,
Sharon Sakai, Administrative Director
Kohala Coast Resort Association
68-1310 Mauna Lani Drive, Suite 101
Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743
Ph. 808-885-6414 *www.kohalacoastresorts.com
Comm. �Z
Ref. To:
Ref. Date OCT 0 3
10/1/2012
Kokaiii Coast-
RESORT ASSOCIATION
October 1, 2012
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii, 96720
RE: Testimony in Support of Resolution No. 307-12
Aloha,
I am writing to express strong support of proposed Resolution No. 307-12 that urges the
U.S. Department of Transportation to approved the application of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. to
provide passenger air service from Kona, Hawan to Tokyo, Japan (Haneda International
Airport).
I have worked in Hawaii's visitor industry for the past 20 years and currently am associated
with a collection of resorts and hotels located north of Kona International Airport (KOA) — the
Kohala Coast Resort Association. These properties represent 7,023 hotels rooms and vacation
rentals; more than 4,500 visitor industry employees are directly employed at these resorts and
hotels located on the Kohala Coast of the Island of Hawaii Air service is extremely important to
the success and viability of these properties and the return of a direct flight from Tokyo into
Kona would be welcome news.
The Island of Hewer i is a very popular destination for the Japanese visitor. Kona is the
second largest travel market between Japan and the U.S., yet it does not have a non-stop flight.
And, it would seem to be the most underserved market of the four gateways currently being
considered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The new proposed flight has the potential to bring in 105,000-plus visitors from Japan to
Kona annually. This would provide a much needed bobst to our island's economy, which
continues to lag following the recession. Japanese visitors filling our hotels and restaurants and
buying in our stores will provide badly needed stimulus for Hawaii Island's economy and
provide new employment opportunities for island residents.
As a lifetime resident of Hawaii and a customer of Hawaii Airlines, I have every confidence
in Hawaiian Airlines and in the success of this proposed flight. I urge that Hawaiian's application
for this route be approved so the State, our island and each of us, who are dependent on air
transportation and on tourism for their livelihood, can realize the significant benefits that such
approval will bring.
Sincerely,
K---44)C-
Sharon Sakai
Administrative Director
68-1310 Mauna Lam Drive, Suite 101, Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743-9704 Telephone(808)885-6414, Facsimile i'808)885-6145
Email: kcra@hawailantel.biz Website:www.KohalaCoastResorts.com