LIHU‘E — What lies ahead as visitors start coming to Kaua‘i following the loosening of travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Individuals are encouraged to take in the Kaua‘i Virtual Economic Summit that will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
“The purpose of the summit is to discuss the recommendations from the Kaua‘i Economic Recovery Team on a new paradigm for tourism,” said Mark Perriello of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, who will be moderating the six-member panel.
A full set of the team’s recommendations can be found at kauaiforward.com/economic-recovery/. The recommendations cover tourism, agriculture, construction and public works, finance, the future, sustainability and technology, business, education and public health.
One of the tourism-specific areas looked at in the report includes traffic.
“While we all want the economy to reopen, no one wants the same level of traffic congestion we experienced before COVID-19,” the report states.
“The goal of this recommendation is to reduce the visitor industry’s impact on traffic and greenhouse-gas emissions, reduce vehicle crashes and support those working in the visitor industry who have suffered economically by providing more-affordable options to get to work other than driving a personal vehicle.”
Panelists include Sue Kanoho of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, Kalani Ka‘ana‘ana of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Larry Dill of the state Department of Transportation, Joel Guy of The Hanalei Initiative, Lee Steinmetz from the County of Kaua‘i, Katie Rooney of Ulupono Initiative and Fran Johnson of Hele on Kaua‘i Bike Rentals.
To register for the virtual summit, visit us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AfCz7HwkSlaxjsPE2ahJ9A.
The Virtual Economic Summit is sponsored by Kaua‘i Community College, County of Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board and Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce.
