HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0852.009 2010-2012 Murashige, Laura (JO'
. Z
From: Barry Taniguchi [barry_taniguchi @ktasuperstores.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 5:23 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Resolution No. 307-12
Attachments: HwnAir Haneda.County.pdf
HwnAir
eda.County.pdf(58
Please see attached.
Comm. N ( 641.4411-4-.0
1 Ref. Date OCT Q 3 2012
•
KTA SUPER STORES
October 1, 2012
Hawaii County Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
RE: Hawaii County Council Resolution No. 307-12
Dear Chairman Yagong and Hawaii County Council Members,
We wish to express our strong support for the Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. application to provide
passenger air service from Kona, Hawaii to Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan.
Our island state is dependent on air transportation and Hawaiian Airlines has been an excellent
provider since 1929. Tourism is our state's largest industry and Hawaiian's extensive schedule
provides frequent connections to all Hawaiian islands, as well as other out of state destinations
creating expansion opportunities to many markets. Direct air service from Kona to Japan will
provide an estimated additional $74 million dollars into the economy of Hawaii.
Presently, the state of Hawaii is the largest travel market for Japanese visitors to the U.S.
Kona is the second largest travel market without a nonstop flight making it the most
underserved market of the four gateways being proposed to the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Our business is a family owned retail grocery chain on the Island of Hawaii. We have been in
business since 1916 and have experienced the ups and downs of our economy for over 95
years. We believe the direct Kona to Japan service will be a positive opportunity for our local
economy to grow.
We strongly recommend the Hawaii County Council adopt Resolution 307-12 urging the U.S.
Department of Transportation to approve the Hawaiian Airlines' application to provide service
between Kona and Haneda, Japan.
Please feel free to contact me via email at barry_taniguchi@ktasuperstores.com if you have
any questions regarding our letter of support for your adoption of Resolution 307-12.
Sincerely,
Barry K. Taniguchi
President
KTA CENTER/50 E. PUAINAKO STREET/HILO, HAWAII 96720/PHONE (808)959-4575