Originally Posted by
jtkauai
when I see anything about tourism decline here, my thoughts immediately go to the lack of reinvestment in our state's infrastructure. from the airports to the parks, beaches, transportation, roads, etc., it is a mess. this is huge ripoff of the state's citizens first, and our visitors second, by the good-old-boy network that runs hawaii (and has for a very long time). they will reap what they sow. unfortunately, everyone else loses in the process.
Well-spoken and I couldn't agree more. This local girl left Oahu 30 years ago. Everytime I go home, it is magic...always has been and always will be. But the decline in the infrastructure is heartbreaking and I think it is contributing to the current decline in tourism...as well as the general quality of life for locals. And you're right, the $$ are, and have been, increasingly going to the 'good old boy' network at the top. We always heard, even growing up, about all the jobs the tourism industry provided, but I knew very few locals, relatively speaking, who made a good living in the tourism industry. The vast majority of folks employed in the tourist industry were doing low level service jobs.