LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. rehashed efforts to stimulate the local economy and allocate spending as keynote speaker Thursday at the Lihu‘e Business Association’s annual meeting. “This whole process was a first time for me,” he said, recounting
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. rehashed efforts to stimulate the local economy and allocate spending as keynote speaker Thursday at the Lihu‘e Business Association’s annual meeting.
“This whole process was a first time for me,” he said, recounting the months of planning and “lengthy discussions” held between his administration, Kaua‘i County Council and the business community.
Projects slated to be part of the stimulus package include those that were announced in December 2008, such as road repairs, expansion of The Kaua‘i Bus fleet and additional affordable housing. The list of 27 projects totaling $102 million was provided to the state’s Congressional delegation Dec. 27.
The mayor presented more figures Thursday and listed several new programs, such as “workforce development,” for which $319,000 has been appropriated. The program will help an increasing number of adults entering or re-entering the job market and should be in place by mid-June and will include training and counseling services, according to county spokesperson Mary Daubert.
Other projects include the repair of the Wailua Golf Course maintenance building for $2 million. There’s also $4.2 million — the largest chunk of monies awarded — for Kamalani Pavilion repair and multi-path construction.
“It will create construction jobs in the short term and provide opportunities for start up and growth of health and wellness and recreation-related businesses in the long run,” Daubert said in an e-mail Saturday.
As a response to the rise in crime on the island, the Kaua‘i Police Department will receive funding to hire four new officers and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney will receiving funding for a drug prosecution unit, Daubert said.
Funding has also been set aside for the future implementation of automated refuse pickup, as part of the curbside recycling project, and is expected to commence service next summer for 1,800 Lihu‘e residents, Carvalho said.
The mayor shared some details of a $1 million grant to be spent on promoting tourism which will run from next month to June 2010 and cost $83,333 per month. The money is expected to potentially earn $20.1 million in return and generate approximately 58,000 room nights, according to George Costa, director of the Office of Economic Development.
“The Visitor Stimulus Plan is designed not only to continue to attract visitors to Kaua‘i and keep our visitor industry and related business economically viable, but also to assist small businesses,” Costa said.
A coupon book is being developed to promote small businesses, including retail, activities and restaurants, by offering discounts and reduced rates and prices for visitors, Costa added.
Of the four Main Hawaiian Islands, Kaua‘i had the sharpest decline in April visitors, dipping 11.2 percent, while Maui dropped by 9 percent. O‘ahu increased 0.7 percent and the Big Island increased by 1.9 percent compared to the previous month.
The grant is scheduled to target the Pacific Northwest, said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, where visitor arrivals were down last month by 8.8 percent from Oregon and 6.5 percent from Washington.
“The good news is that there are some really good offers out there right now,” Kanoho said in an e-mail Thursday, noting sites like expedia.com where county funding is being directed.
When asked if there were ways Kaua‘i County would help stimulate local businesses over the next five years if projected visitor spending return is not met, Daubert said they are continually seeking ways to support small and large businesses on Kaua‘i, including establishing community gardens, developing a Kilauea ag park, re-opening the papaya disinfestation plant and creating a “Kaua‘i Grown” label for local farmers.
Furthermore, the mayor will be meeting with members of the cattle ranching community this week to discuss how they will utilize a $50,000 grant to create a locally grown beef initiative on Kaua‘i.
Carvalho assured attendees that the county is currently working on “tightening its belts” and learning to do “a little bit more with a little bit less,” with its $154 million operating budget.
He said he hopes to “keep everybody working” and is implementing a reduction in such activities as travel and overtime.
“We felt that with these challenging times, we got to keep those kids smiling and their parents happy; kupuna playing the ‘ukuleles and dancing because you’ve got to always provide the hope,” he said.
For more information, visit www.kauai.gov.
