Samuel Shirai’s letter (Dec. 14, “Wailua Golf Course Is Good For County”), though well-intentioned, leaves the public with some misinformation. It is true that the golfers’ fees do supply a lot of the revenue that run the Wailua course, but
Samuel Shirai’s letter (Dec. 14, “Wailua Golf Course Is Good For County”), though well-intentioned, leaves the public with some misinformation.
It is true that the golfers’ fees do supply a lot of the revenue that run the Wailua course, but those fees are still inadequate to take care of all expenses.
For instance, the county just recently issued a bond for about $2,420,000 to upgrade the irrigation system at the golf course. This bond will mature in the year 20l7, and since the accrued interest will total $l,294,000, that means that the total amount of this bond will be about $3,549,000.
Now, in theory, this repayment is supposed to come from those who use the golf course. It is a user’s fee. But since there has never been a dedicated fund set up to pay for any upgrading of the irrigation system in the past, why should we presume that there will ever be enough excess funds (beyond daily maintenance) to pay for it in the future? Realistically there won’t be, and thus, as usual, the general fund (everyone’s tax dollars) will have to foot the bill to keep this operation running. In other words, the bottom line is that everyone’s tax dollars will flow to the golf course – not, as Mr. Shirai asks, “where will the county replace the lost revenue that the golf course/golfers supply?” It is nice that Mr. Shirai’s father helped build the golf course, and we compliment him for that. The Princeville, Kauai Lagoons,and Po’ipu courses are self-sustaining and privately run, but their much higher fees dictate a profit, and at the present rates our municipal course cannot make it (in totality) on its own.
But I guess the question that must be asked is, do the people who don’t use this golf course want their taxes used to subsidise its operation? You make the call.
Glenn Mickens, Kapaa
