JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@ STARADVERTISER.COM
People arrive at Waimea Valley Park in Pupukea on April 18. The historic park will undergo upgrades to attract more kamaaina and shift the location’s focus to its cultural significance.
Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
The Star-Advertiser got it backwards recently in publishing two articles on Earth Day about regenerative tourism and our economy (“Regenerative tourism draws groups to isles,” “Waimea Valley plans renovation project,” Star-Advertiser, April 7). The former article was a front-page feature about convention attendees picking up trash at the beach; the latter was about restoring the culture and history of one of the special places in our islands.
Asking people who fly thousands of miles to and from Hawaii (and who generate about two tons of greenhouse gas emissions doing so) to pick up some of the trash that such unsustainable economic activity generates amounts to little more than virtue signaling and easing of one’s conscience. Projects like Waimea Valley are what tourism and economic activity in Hawaii should focus on if we are to create a truly sustainable future. I think the people of Hawaii know the difference.
Travis Idol
Downtown Honolulu
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter