Action Alert!
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is holding public meetings over the next few days to discuss the course of tourism in Hawai`i. This is an excellent opportunity to send a clear message to the Tourism Authority regarding impacts of tourism growth and investments in Hawaii’s environment.
Please attend the meetings with the following messages:
1) The Hawaii Tourism Authority needs to prepare a complete Environmental Impact Statement on the impacts of bringing more tourists here. The “carrying capacity” study approved by the legislature appears set up to fail. It is too little, in too short a time frame, and too simplified. It will likely fail to examine the most important components of our environment in any meaningful way: alien species, development impacts, cultural impacts, health of reefs, social carrying capacity, and other impacts.
2) The hotel room tax should be used to protect our environment -- particularly to fund coastal land acquisition.
3) The HTA claims it is committed to investing and protecting Hawaii’s environment, but they have done nothing to demonstrate this over the past two years. Call them on it. We need commitments.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
THURSDAY, June 14 Oahu @ Hawaii Convention Center, Room
320, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, June 15 Hilo @ Hawaii Naniloa Resort, Crown Room, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
MONDAY, June 18 Kona @ Aston Keauhou Beach Hotel, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, June 21 Maui @ Maui Arts & Cultural Center, HEI Meeting Room, 5:00
- 7:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, June 22 Kauai @ Radisson Kauai Beach Resort, Pakalana Room, 4:00 - 6:00
p.m.
TUESDAY, June 26 Oahu @ Leeward Community College, Room GT-105, 6:00 - 8:00
p.m.
FRIDAY, June 29 Molokai @ Hotel Molokai, Bamboo Room, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, June 30 Lanai @ Lanai Pool & Recreation Center, 10:45 a.m. - 12:45
p.m.
Message from HTA:
“As part of its strategic planning efforts, the HTA will hold a series of informational
meetings throughout the state during the month of June. During each meeting,
the HTA board and staff will share what has been done during the past two years
and receive suggestions about how the visitor industry can continue to strengthen
Hawaii's communities. These meetings will also allow the HTA to do a preliminary
review of the various elements of our strategic plan as we move to update it
in the months ahead.”