Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 3, 1 March 1998 — LOCAL VACATIONERS [ARTICLE]

LOCAL VACATIONERS

We went to the Mainland for a vacation and met ex-Hawai'i residents living in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Their biggest relief is the cheaper cost of living, better schools, better jobs and being able to buy property and save money. They are willing to sacrifice living away from Hawai'i to give their families more opportunities. Hawai'i needs to pay attention to loeal residents. Our tourism industiy does not consider our loeal vacation and recreational needs. Tourism is encroaching on space, quiet and even on native flora and fauna. We are seeing everything paved over. On O'ahu, the oeean and coastal areas have been compromised. People try to justify catchmg the last remaining fish instead of protecting fisheries for future generations. While we'd like to visit other islands, the cost is not very eeonomieal or relaxing. Would OHA help target cultural and educational vacation getalways for loeal residents? Skippy Hau Wailuku Editor's note: These comments are from Mr. Hau's response to our readership survey. 0HA resen/es the right to edit all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable eontent, and reserves the right to print. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola o 0HA, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 500, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813. Readers ean also e-mail their letters to oha@aloha.net. ■