On HTA funding
Why are any taxpayer dollars allocated to the HTA? It should be 100 percent funded by the resorts and other private businesses that directly benefit from tourism.
Further, do they really need to promote Kaua‘i or Hawai‘i as a tourist destination anymore? I think the word is out.
That money could be used to benefit all Hawaiians by using it to fix potholes, replace bridges, add more police and fire personnel, and other universal items of infrastructure instead of using it to promote tourism.
James Howe, Kalaheo
Incredibly short sighted, Mr Howe. Tourism has a direct influence on many, from ALL the hotel employees, the grocery stores they shop at to the bus drivers and airport employees. That’s a lot of people on this island.
Kauaidoug; I’m sure all the folks that depend on tourism will notice zero change in the number of tourists coming here if the HTA funding is switched to the private sector. We don’t need to fund it with taxpayer dollars. That’s my point. Why should we fund it with taxpayer dollars when the private sector can fund it, should fund it, and would probably do a better job since they are really the beneficiaries and know better than anyone what needs to be done.
James, you just listed all County responsibilities. It’s the State that funds the HTA.