Outdoor markets should pause for now
I would like to commend Anaina Hou in Kilauea for setting an example by putting a pause on their Makers Market and concerts right now, as well as requiring that concert-goers show proof of vaccination.
I know a lot of you will balk at this, but get used to it, because it will become more and more common with concert venues and restaurants and likely sports among other things as COVID and the variants play out.
I also hope that our other large markets around the island will take a break as well. I know they have been very crowded and busy, and with the variant running awry on Kaua‘i it’s not really a great idea to pack people into crowds even if it is outdoors. Maybe if there were fewer vendors it could be more palatable, but with the crowds I see in the promos online it worries me.
Petrina Blakely, Kapa‘a
Visitor industry could ‘eventually eat its host’
Overtourism.
I have had the great fortune of raising a family on Kaua‘i for the last 40+ years.
We have made our living in the visitor industry, and are great supporters. During the COVID shutdown we kept hearing about plans to “right-size” the visitor industry on Kaua‘i, or at the very least not allowing it to grow.
We were in full support. Now we see hundreds of additional units being built in the VDAs (Visitor Destination Area) allowing thousands of additional visitors to an island that is clearly at its carrying capacity, given the existing infrastructure.
The Planning Department apparently feels that parcels properly zoned for development in years past are entitled to be developed no matter the circumstances. And they may be correct. Yes, these are homes and condos, but in reality, they will function almost exclusively as a hotel.
Our County Council has the power to create tax policy. Tax policy has been legally used for decades to alter a populations’ behavior — think cigarette taxes or solar power tax credits.
We desperately need our council to raise the taxes on vacation-rental properties to such a level that the owners of these properties make the financial decision to rent these homes and condos to long-term residents, not tourists.
We need leadership.
We need the help of our elected officials.
It’s not too late.
When you’re stuck in traffic, or crowded out at the beach, remember, it is not the visitor’s fault. It’s not the rental-car companies fault. It is our fault for not voting. Our elected officials set policy, and without leadership the visitor industry will eventually eat its host.
Andrew Evans, Koloa
OMG we also need to make Costco, Safeway, Walmart, Costco gas, every mall, resort, etc close too,,, not just outdoor markets.
Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it.
It’s becoming obvious how this is being spread. Tourists, not so much, if any. Untested travel , yes. People refusing to recognize the gravity of the situation and willfully ignoring it, yes. The latter is a symptom of our time in this divided country.
you are correct – all untested and unvaccinated travelers are the problem. However unvaccinated tourists are not the ones who get out and mingle as much as the residents do and are causing the clusters with the spread that we are seeing right now in places of worship and at gatherings – locals are all responsible for those.
We do not have another industry to influence tourist. So they can come. Relied on tourism since 1960. And still do rely on tourism. Hawai’i’s industry must be refined.
Yep.
Thank you Petrina. We now require proof of vaccination for new guests in our vacation condos.
Vaccination is not enough, we need to pre travel test. 34% of Covid cases in LA are now vaccinated. We can do this Kauai.
I appreciate your common sense weighing in John both as a long time creative here on Kaua’i and responsible member of our community. I also appreciate all of those who have contacted me via email, Facebook messenger, phone, text and in person to thank me for my letters to the paper and bravery in trying to keep our island community safe.
I agree, raise the taxes way up. Visitors are happy to pay for a quality experience. When sugar failed Kauai pivoted to tourism. What we forgot to do was improve the infrastructure to provide for the tourists. Who even knew 50 years ago if this would work. Now that it has we should catch up on infrastructure. The community should also benefit. Tax, tax tax…
Solves nothing rewards the government bloat.
…and your solution is?
Yes, mahalo to the outdoor markets that are not being held because they have the good sense to not encourage gathering. The markets attract loads of tourist who have not been tested and can spread the virus without even knowing they have it.
As far as comparing these vendor markets to Walmart or Costco. Sorry, but our government has deemed them as ESENTIAL businesses that the community needs for supplies. Stop trying to compare apples to oranges.
Like Andy says there are many more projects already approved by Planning and waiting to build out. Over tourism is about to go to overdrive as these projects come on line and will house more and more tourists. Taxes are the only answer, the only tool we have left in the chest to balance things. If the government doesn’t step up things will go from bad to worse. We can do this Kauai!
Our highways and main streeets are overcrowded……..I believe that the obvious solution is to construct a new highway on Powerline Drive from the highway near Princeville to the highway near Kahili Mountain Park.
Somebody, see the obvious please… It’s time to develop a road that eases traffic and does not add to it…
There is plenty of land up Mauka to develop, build new housing up there, affordable housing for Kamaainas, put a highway through there, turn offs to Lihue and Kapaa and the area towards the college, take the pressure off our current “highway” which is mostly on the Makai edge of the island. This will create a quicker, safer and more direct route to Lihue and Kapaa for many commuters. We don’t need to build more houses in the Kilauea area being discussed, it’s too crowded in Kilauea town as it is, traffic is getting worse and worse, This should not be a big land grab for profit.
Somebody, see the obvious please… It’s time to develop a road that eases traffic and does not add to it… Time to build housing and roads Mauka, Lots of potential for the future up there, lots of land up there… Just add a few sideroads for access from Lihue and Kapaa.
Our highways are already overcrowded, no room for more housing and more cars in Kilauea until we take care of the commuting situation…
Bottom Line is–TOO MANY PEOPLE LIVING HERE,,, Maybe we need to cut back nad not be such greedy hosts to visitors..
Nicholas