Despite general concern about putting more money into tourism promotion, North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba’s proposal to use only $100,000 of the $459,000 budget for tourism received a thumbs-down.
He said that apart from tourism, there are other areas that need funding, such as adding an additional $50,000 to the $13,000 budget for fire station equipment on the island. Inaba pointed out that firefighters recently had to buy their own air conditioner for their windowless fire station.
“I feel that this money could be better used elsewhere,” Inaba told Hawaii News Now. “We have goals that state that tourism is compatible with historic and natural resources. That it’s not intrusive on our local communities, that it helps to strengthen private, public and international partnerships and makes us a resilient community. And I don’t believe that to be true, as we’ve seen over the last year. With tourism gone, we were in the hole.”
Inaba's measure was halted with a 3-5 vote, Hawaii News Now reported. Puna Councilman Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder and Council Chairwoman Maile David, representing South Kona/Ka'u, agreed with Inaba and supported his bill, according to West Hawaii Today.
Inaba is the Councilman for Hawaii County Council, District 8 (North Kona). Inaba also serves as chair of parks and recreation, public safety committee and vice chair of the regenerative agriculture, water, energy and environmental management committee.