The stated mission of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is “to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires and visitor industry needs.”
I would argue that three of these five are not being met. They have focused only on the first and last ones listed. We understand that the state is addicted to the tax revenue like a junkie on a needle, but all of this talk of jobs is ridiculous.
Tourist industry jobs pay subsistence wages at best, which is why our young people and their families are leaving the island in droves in search of higher wage jobs and more affordable housing.
A single parent with one child earning $15 an hour cannot house, clothe and feed her or his family on that level of income. This is a part of why the resident population of Hanalei, Wainiha and Haena has declined 45 percent in recent years. But the biggest reason for the decline is the lack of housing.
There are so many vacation rentals on the North Shore (mostly illegal) that residents cannot find long-term rental housing at any cost, much less a reasonable cost. Why not take some of the monies now being used for HTA’s budget and dedicate it to enforcing the prohibition on non-licensed vacation rentals?
Additionally, a good proportion of those funds should also be used to address other community issues the tourism industry has created.
There has been a significant decline in the quality of life on Kauai over the past five to 10 years. No one but a fool thinks the 1960s and 70s are coming back, but there must be some controls on the number of visitors, visits to endangered sites (e.g., Tunnels and Ke’e beaches), size of rental car fleets, and weight of rental cars (tourists like big vehicles even if there are only two people in the party because that’s what they are used to driving in LA and other major urban areas with massive 10 lane freeways — but we are a community of two-lane roads and a crumbling highway infrastructure).
Like any addict, it will be hard for the government in this state to reduce their consumption of tourist-related tax revenue, but a failure to do so will ultimately be our downfall.
As the environment is damaged and, in some cases, destroyed, as traffic worsens, as residents become more and more angry (and display that anger to the tourists), and the island of Kauai generally becomes an overcrowded tourist mecca that has lost its local charm, the visitors will move on to the next “paradise” and we will find ourselves with greatly reduced fiscal resources and a rapidly aging population (because so many young people have established themselves on the Mainland and are unlikely to return).
This will be a true recipe for economic disaster and everyone will be wringing their hands and asking “why didn’t our political leadership do something to address this impending crisis” rather than just singing “Oh Happy Day” like the party would never end. Short-sightedness coupled with a lack of political will is a dangerous situation.
Some of us may not live long enough to see the inevitable, but the younger generations will. We owe them more than that. Preserve Kauai for future generations, place reasonable limits on tourism now.
•••
Cyndy Johnson is a resident of Haena.
How about a limit on haoles moving here from the mainland who take up badly needed local housing?
Ah, ya, dis will solve dah problem. Fool!
How about you smoking more pakalolo?
How about locals move somewhere else they can better afford… sounds just as stupid as your suggestion.
How about those who came to a beautiful place to teach and work and were treated terribly.. so WE all left.. we brought education, knowledge and a lot more.. something you all yearn for and ASK for…
BLAME the BIG hotels who actually TAKE all the $$$$$
“Tourist industry jobs pay subsistence wages at best, which is why our young people and their families are leaving the island in droves in search of higher wage jobs and more affordable housing.”
And drum roll…….Why is moving to places that are more affordable and have better paying jobs, a bad thing? Oh yea, because everyone raised on the islands is ENTITLED to “higher wage jobs and more affordable housing”…..got it!
In the REAL WORLD, in the 21st Century, young people and their families SHOULD move to where there are more opportunities. Why would you cry to Government, that are incompetent, have no sense of urgency, move like snails, and can’t make a decision, in order to solve YOUR problems of “too many tourists”, “need affordable housing”, “need higher wage jobs”.
Get off your A$$, go anywhere on the planet where there is more opportunity, the median home does not cost $750,000, good paying non-tourist jobs (careful, you might need to update or have some actual bona-fide credentials and qualifications) are abound, and stop complaining to Government to solve your perceived problems. Stop the madness!
So your solution, is locals should have to leave Kauai because big business no like pay them one decent living wage? Neva mind the fact that when, due to inflation the actual minimum wage should be about 21 dollars. Funny how we get choke money for piss away on these regime change wars, but Corporations (who btw are sitting on trillions by the way, cause remember, many of them don’t actually pay taxes on their earnings, they leave em offshore) no more enough for pay one decent living wage. https://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/20111029_WOC689.gif
how’s that trickle down economics working out?
Cyndy; Important letter and I agree with the premise. The only thing missing from your discussion is HOW to realistically reduce tourism on our Island. What is the solution, the remedy, the specific steps necessary to carry out your goals. How can the limits on tourism be implemented? I suppose it all starts and ends with politicians and the county council. Since we have an election coming up, perhaps we should find out where each of the candidates stands on limiting tourism and how much money they get from the industries that make up tourism, from the resorts to the rental cars to restaurants to developers, etc. Another solution is to crack down on illegal vacation rentals and increase the penalties for violations. Good letter.
Excellent points. I hope there will be some consequences for the illegal vacation rentals all over the island. A recent report stated 1 in 7 homes on Kauai are vacation rentals.
Enforce the laws now on the books.
Wonderful letter Cyndy! Thank you for so eloquently and logically presenting the reality of where our Island finds itself. We’re at a turning point. We must hope for, and work, for getting your concerns to be focused on where it counts the most; the Political system of Kauai. Action must be taken NOW, or we will unsuccessful at finding a solution that works for our children’s future on Kauai. Thank you again for your insight!
A very well put letter Cyndy. It is probably too much to hope that we will come to our senses in time to avert the catastrophe approaching our beloved Kauai. Greed seems to be always winning these days.
Aloha Cyndy, your letter is right on target, trouble is no one seems to have a solution. The mayor and council, those running for office, the people themselves, are in a dilemma over what you point out and do not speak of solutions yet.
This same issue is impacting many visitor destinations worldwide and some places have been putting up with it for generations, and it has led to some degree of ruination and reversal of tourism in world class destinations, well, like Kauai.
Already the purchase of land is beyond the reach of local people to buy a home or even just the aina, compounded by so few places (affordable) to buy.
The result is only wealthy outsiders trying to escape where they are from, whether it be cities or frozen winters or scorching summers and overcrowded neighborhoods. We still have it good. Those who leave and give up their spot here, often if they change their mind have nowhere to come back to having made the arrogant mistake of leaving.
Some of the young people here turn their noses up at $20 an hour, how’s that? To those of us who worked for 50 cents a day as a kid, or $2 an hour as an adult, or $5 an hour in the plantation fields, things are getting better, but loss of quality of life is the trade off.
We hear of overnight traffic solutions at little cost but the higher ups do not seemingly need to hear from the lower downs.
What’s a community to do when there are too many naysayers in the decision making offices?
This is not a KAUAI problem only, and so, do other places on the world have solutions? Does Maui and Big Island have this problem? Or solutions?
Mahalo,
Charles
Several good points but the fact is the better paying jobs are in fact directly connected to the tourist industry. How can you not know that ??
Thank you Cindy. I agree with you, we need to find effective solutions to reign in the already maddening crowds of tourists and those agencies that promote the seemingly unending waves. You know it’s a problem when it takes you a half hour to drive through Waimea town in the afternoon. Seriously, growing up on the Westside, I’ve never seen Waimea town look like it has the last couple of years. And it will only get worse unless something is done to curb the influx.
E’O
Platform possibilities (3 of 10) im looking at to fix EVERY problem. as a candid ate, winner i would place Kauai in lockdown. Implement, a KUPUNA COUNCIL who will delegate the many different issues we have faced and guide our people to resolve and return to better days. It would be way kewl if after trump meets with Un, that trump would stop over AGAIN in Hawaii nei, and FINALLY assist with his help to the Lahui, and straighten this road, with truth and integrity. TRUMP and BIRTHERS never did find the smoking gun, but we all know. *POPULATION militaropolitical-vehicle moratorium! Cease and desist is even better! Kauai sets the precident, Sole proprietors are safe, however EVERY corporate entity must become PROFIT-sharing. THEY instead of tax payers, assessed and THEIR monies to fix our roads, find a new site for garbage that includes recycling mandatory BEFORE passing the gate to that new site! Remember where Auto Aid, Barretto business? That parcel parallel to the airport runway is the crypt! NEVER behind kalepa! Hey wait, THERE was a dump on the makai side of the Lihue airport runway!!! how many people remember and see how the old auto aid is perfect location. We will have everything covered by the corporates and then we can begin to uncover the truth about kuleana forever malama aina, and return to some level of Pono, cuz right now, its pretty messed up!
Cyndy IS in the light, excellent writing,
Meanwhile, everyone is getting their foto ops and banking on votes from church congregation as well as the voters at large! I can see clearly now LONG time passing, no obstacles in my way! Follow your heart and mind, but if you arent registered, that is even better
I think one of the issues is that the County has not put forth enough effort towards staff for policing all of the illegal rentals and AirBNBs. We all know of the backlog and complete lack of oversight so far. It will be a hard pill to swallow, but there needs to be at least $100,000/yr added or better yet moved around to hire two full-time inspectors (at $40K each + overhead) to make sure our neighborhoods are being used for residents (owners and long-term renters) and visitors are kept in their designated areas. The fees and penalties could at least be used to pay this until the backlog is fixed, then maybe the jobs won’t be needed anymore. I’m sure the hotels would be all for this.
As far as the vehicle issues, we should look closer into the numbers. I recall an editorial here last month where it was stated that only 6000 or so of the Island’s cars are rentals, which means that even in our busiest day, about 70% of the people on the island (1.1M tourists vs. 70k Kauaians) are driving 13% of the cars (quoted as ~80k registered here). Of course, this doesn’t account for where and when the rentals are used, but if these numbers are even close to accurate, then our road overcrowding can’t be blamed on them entirely. Plus, getting info on the number of types of cars can shed light on Cyndy’s assumption that it’s all the heavy tourist cars harming our roads vs. poor maintenance or too many aggressive tires and loose suspensions on 3/4 ton vehicles.
Here we have everyone’s simple solution to everything wrong: “DO SOMETHING TO SOMEONE OTHER THAN ME FOR MY BENEFIT.” This solution is as old as time.
We live in a free society. This should be cherished above all else. We have freedom of movement. An American can move freely anywhere within the USA. Never take this for granted.
When you single out a class of people or type of business it’s called discrimination; a word that usually is derogatory. Some forms of discrimination are good, like in choosing a life partner. Discrimination against tourists, or the tourist industry, is not a good version. It is a threat to our collective freedom and must not be allowed!
I commend you on your insights on living on Kauai. Expenses. But what if the person has no family member? How can he survive living here? A new solution has surfaced or is this an old idea. What do you think? Collect from the Food Drive, bank, because they qualify. Or rely on some church mission to support you in tough times. There was a Salvation Army in Hanapepe. What should that person do Now? There are no jobs on Kauai, but look here, expenses are climbing. For some relying on the Food Drive or church is the only option. Solution: avoid this situation by being more ideal in your capitalism ideas and stick to business all the way. No church group or food drive can do this for you.
Interesting…looks like Cindy and Debra would prefer living in a totalitarian society rather than a free one. Of course, they would like it best if they were the dictators. Nothing more disturbing than the good intentions crowd.
RG DeSoto
Gee, BESIDES being covered all day, now farming mud instead of garden, taro; all my chix, cow, horse and 7 pig friendanimals drowned, now they ril buried. Sigh. my soul cries for them, There was nothing else i couldve done, ten feet never! The group was taken out in the intial flash Taken out by fallen trees logs and debris…
Anyway, i was wonder how many of the commentators here went to weds caucus at the Ha coffee shop, to meet those candid ates running for county council, 6:30-8:30pm? Or did you go to the next morning thirsday Dukes 0730 hours meeting groms from grove farm, their KIUC buddies, rep for hydropower plants, and the hundo year war or the extreme corporate activities that continue to Divert 100% water, (the new gold) from where God put it in a streambed! The diversion eats water, feeds Kalepa, traversing hydroplants where by law water must return to the “source” before it vents down a now polluted Kapaia Hanamaulu Bay outlet. Instead of the county having a planning department, what they need is an enhanced KPD, new improved Kingdom judiciary department strictly enforcing anticorruption/nepotism and asserting new hires have Credential proven! No such thing as in the Coco Palms or bell stone fiascos that we the tax payers dumped a bundle. Jurisdiction was and still is an issue,. Since 1959, there have been some very unusual incidents, the topper is the recent missile “oops” and all that have compromised all peoples. Reaearch, inquire, and do your own due diligence will show you all the same truths that i have found, alongside several hundred thousand Lahui. WE Who know who we are, as opposed to you knowing uncertain as to who you are. The learning curve is not based on rocket science, just truth and integrity. You all must come out to witness the Mayoral Candid-ates DEB-ate meetings that will be outlined for the future. Beyond the politics, my Dreams include Justice for four year old Lacey Woolsey, murdered at Anini Beach by two brothers from Colorado, who had murdered a young colorado girl, before arriving to kauai, camping tracking hurricane recovery and making money. (book The Fifth Seal) Also, Autism Spetrum Hawaii Chapter, And Kauai Community college receiving state or donationsl funding for the need to complete the PILA KIKUCHI Library room. PILA was a grand kane, Kauai archeologist, who many of us had the pleasure as R.N nursing haumana! Lest we forget those who were great, left an awesome legacy, (MR B. and Mr Mc still with us) and fond mems of the olden priceless spirits that we got to be surrounded by, before winds of changes iwa and iniki.
It has been repeatedly held by courts across the country that limiting building permits is a legitimate function of government, especially when infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc) can’t handle unbridled growth. (See Santa Barbara as an example). Here, we need a 2 prong attack to maintain our rural lifestyle. First, elect council members who are slow growth, especially when it comes to large resort properties with hotel rooms,condos and time-shares. Secondly, crack down on illegal vacation rentals. The fines collected will more than pay for the increased manpower needed to aggressively pursue the law breakers. With limited places to stay, tourism will level out. The key is to put council members in power that are not in the pockets of the tourism and building industries. Do your research before voting.
Brah Scandinavian countries aren’t totalitarian lol, they have a free market capitalist economic model, wit heavily funded social services.. they pay higher taxes because they know, as a society, they do better as a collective vs worrying only about themselves… you like go mainland and pay thousands of dollars for health insurance, or you prefer Hawaii, which has the 2nd highest % of insured residents (MA is first cause romneycare). I don’t think you realize you’re indirectly supporting corporate welfare by suggesting we no need pay works one decent living wage. Get choke people who work Walmart and Safeway for example, who are forced onto financial assistance because their employers (Walmart gross profit was 120 billion in 2017) don’t pay them a living wage. They have to supplement their starvation wage with government assistance like tanf/snap, in order to provide for their family. You trying for tell me you no care that locals kids stay hungry? Why should we the taxpayers, subsidize Walmart, when they are perfectible capable of paying higher wages? Funny how we get trillions for piss away on these illegal regime change wars, all of which have failed, yet we no more money for take care of the most vulnerable in our society. If the minimum wage was adjusted, due to inflation of the dollar, it should actually be 21 dollars. So we’re getting punished because congress makes poor decisions on behalf of their constituents, yet you like attack locals for simply asking the question “Can we not get a starvation wage.” Brah, you sound like Trump.
Can we start by not allowing the use of TAT funds to further promote tourism by the HTA? That is a state issue of course but we are part of the state.
Can start with a couple of things…
First, stop Southwest Airlines from flying into Lihue…..they have an old plane fleet that has never crossed an ocean…so you want them dropping off thousands more people to rent big SUVs and drive all over the roads and rent AirBNBs?????
Second..limit the number of rental cars…set limits each company can have..
3rd.. go after the illegal vacation rentals. Set designated areas for tourists to stay…the condos in princeville the bed n breakfasts in Kapaa and the Marriott down south..everything else, houses, apartments, should be outlawed for tourist rentals and mandated for Residential Rental Only…..
You can do all this stuff..it’s called actively proactively saving your Kauai County………….
Chad thinks Southwest will use It’s Dallas to Vegas 737s.
Chad knows nothing at all about the aviation industry.
Don’t be like Chad.
I agree with limiting the number of tourist but if we continue to fund the Hawaii Tourism Association over one million dollars ($100,000,000) of our tax payers money, we will not see an end to the huge number of people coming to the islands. Only Florida has a similar budget and we all know what happened there. Overpopulation and no one is happy.
Think about it ..where would you rather be homeless, Washington DC, LA or Hawaii? For the price of $300 you can get a one way ticket and live in Paradise. Maybe it will be on the beach at Anahola or Anini or maybe Kapaa on a bench but it’s a heck of a lot better than freezing in DC. Then you become a burden on society and complain because you have no where to live. How many of these homeless living in cars are new arrivals? Just a thought!
As has been said by a few people here, if the tourists don’t have a place to stay, they can’t visit. Crack down on the illegal rentals! Don’ t build any more hotels! NO MORE HOTELS, PERIOD! That is the way to prevent our island from turning into Oahu.
I get great humor watching prejudice Hawaiians crying about too many people on Kauai and how immigration should be controlled… then these same morons criticize Trumps efforts to limit uncontrolled immigration?? Guess it only matters who is doing it… it’s your leadership of Mayor, prosecuting attorney, 5th Circuit Court Judge and others taking your Island to bad places. None of them are Hawaiians? Going to get worse before you change it… out with the old.
Put a limit to people moving to the island…. its doesn’t matter what color… have Kauai be like various places in the Mainland where you’d need to live on the island 5,10,15… years before you’re able to become a resident and purchase land/homes.. tax the property that has the biggest homes more tax then the neighbor with a single family home next door.. we tend to forget that it isn’t just the tourist that crowd the roads, we have ALOT of teenagers coming up and parents are buying them their own cars, we have families who are heading in the same direction from the same home but rather drive their own…just a thought.. gottah go
To the author of this post and others on this page: You are part of the problem when you move here. Visitors are just doing what you did before you moved here. It’s like you are trying to close the door on others…the same door you went through when you moved here. Tired of all of you thinking you are always entitled and taking over land….again. History repeating itself, same hypocrisy, just new ‘immigrants’. I have issues with this article that doesn’t even mention the Hawaiians and Ni’ihauans…how the situation today has impacted them…on so many different levels. Why do you not mention those Hawaiians and Ni’ihauans affected? Because you moved here. Learn that fact, then I will trust your words. Don’t act like you own the island.