Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

The economy remains and will remain as one of my top priorities. Everyone is affected by the downturn in the economy. We must understand that tourism is our number one economic driver for Kauai and the State of Hawaii. That is why I supported a proposal from the administration for $500,000 to be used as a Visitor Industry Stimulus package. The bilk of this money is to be used for marketing. Coming from the retail sector, I fully understand the importance of marketing. Marketing dollars are relative to an increase in sales. The bulk of this money will be used to partner with our wholesale travel companies such as Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia. The focus will be on key U.S. markets that continue to provide visitors to our island. Another component will focus its efforts on kama`aina on other islands as well as our military travelers. The military has proven to be a good source of revenue even in a downturn in the economy. This $500,000 is forecasted to provide approximately $8 million when you factor in the multiplier effect such as visitors spending money in our hotels, restaurants, and retail shops.

While tourism is our top industry, we must also remain focused on our efforts to diversify our economy. I have served as co-chair of the Kauai Economic Development Board's Food and Agriculture committee. We serve to find ways in promoting a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable agriculture industry. We must also concentrate our efforts in ways to boost industries in the sectors of high technology, health and wellness, sports and recreation, arts and culture, renewable energy, and the construction and building trades sector, which are all identified as priorities in the Kauai Economic Development Plan.

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