Endowment could be just what Kauai needs
The morning mail delivered an annual request for a contribution to the endowment fund at the university attended many years ago. I was more then glad to accommodate the school as the education provided career opportunities, and simply reading the correspondence brought back great memories.
Later in the day, the thought presented itself that the concept of an endowment fund which serves so many schools could serve Kauai as well. Imagine a fund that looks to people other then the residents of Kauai for money given on a voluntary basis, to provide non-recurring financial support for tourist projects.
As a part-time resident of this island for almost 20 years, looking to a more full-time presence at retirement, departing Kauai after each visit is always accompanied by positive feelings. If asked for a small, voluntary contribution to preserve and/or improve the paradise that hosted a visit, many visitors would respond in a positive manner.
Almost everyone who visits arrives and departs by air.
Everyone fills out forms and lines up for baggage inspection. Why not have every departing passenger receive a single-page request in the form of a professionally prepared folder as they leave ? The money should not be spent until it funds a project. No more starting a project with little more then plans on how to fund a project.
Visitors to the island would be motivated by a feeling of contribution and appreciation for that which they just enjoyed. Residents on island would benefit by having necessary expenses paid by others.
An endowment fund will not be able to fund projects such as fixing the Kuhio Highway problems, but erecting safety measures at Queen Emma’s Bluff, promptly cleaning Lydgate Park after every storm, fixing the public beach toilets, providing bikes along appropriate paths and contributing to the cost of emergency personnel responding to tourist surf emergencies are examples of what can be targeted goals.
This island spends tens of thousands of dollars attempting to attract people to the island, swelling the population beyond capacity and breaking the infrastructure down. The ohana which our visitors have been exposed to during their visit may very well motivate a voluntary contribution to a fund dedicated to preserving that which they enjoyed on island.
Edward Cullen, Princeville
