Letters for Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017

• 50 years and counting for Jane • Rep. should vote against proposal to take county TAT $

50 years and counting for Jane

Congratulations to a wonderful lady, who today (Feb. 23) celebrated 50 years of dedicated hair salon service to the many people who live and work in the Koloa area.

Jane’s Hair Salon has been located in the same location on the corner of Poipu Road and Waikomo Road in Koloa for 50 years. Six days a week, Jane has been there to service her patrons, whether it be for a special family occasion, a high school prom or just a typical routine haircut.

Her attention to detail requires a bit longer stay in the chair, but the camaraderie and friendliness of her and her longtime associate Lai makes the visit a special occasion and not simply a quick haircut.

Mahalo Jane and may you have many more years attending to your many appreciative customers.

Andy Murphy, Koloa

Rep. should vote against proposal to take county TAT $

House Bill 1586 takes money generated by the transient accommodations tax away from the counties. Mayor Carvalho submitted testimony against the bill and at least thee Kauai County Council members, including the chair, have spoken out opposing it.

The bill was passed out of the House Tourism Committee by a vote of 7-1. In spite of the opposition from Kauai elected officials and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, District 15 Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, vice chair of the committee, voted in favor of the bill. He stated: “I had strong concerns about what it is attempting to do. I don’t know how the county is going to make up for the loss of the revenue.”

So, why didn’t Rep. Tokioka have the courage of his convictions and vote against a bill which will be harmful to the county which he represents? In his 10 years in the Legislature, has he completely succumbed to the “to get along, go along” philosophy? At least one legislator had the guts to vote against the bill. Too bad Rep. Tokioka did not.

Linda Estes, Koloa