The 'new' Waikiki can be better for all of us

A refreshing change has come to Waikiki in recent years, as the visitor industry and the local community came to recognize they owe more to our visitors than a fabulous beach, great weather and exciting night life.

It is clear that the experience of coming to Waikiki adds up to more than what any individual hotel or resort can offer. Waikiki itself is an experience, but in recent years not necessarily a pleasant one for growing numbers of visitors.

In years past, the response to the "decay" of Waikiki would have been a request that government — either the city or the state — do something to fix the situation. And indeed, there has been substantial help from government.

But something else has been added: a recognition by the visitor industry that it must pull itself up by its own bootstraps.

One of the most dramatic elements of this new approach is the formation of the Waikiki Business Improvement District, which represents some 1,600 resort hotels, retailers and other businesses. This group, in effect, taxes itself to provide extra security, maintenance, landscaping and other services to Waikiki generally.

Most recently, the group announced a $1.25 million contract to supplement city efforts to keep’s sidewalks and public spaces clean and sparkling.

At another level, as reported Sunday by staff writer Dan Nakaso, a number of volunteer citizen groups, some with Improvement District backing, are doing their part to improve the security climate in Waikiki.

This is in addition to paid security officers who will be under contract to the improvement district association.

The volunteers act as extra eyes and ears for the police, as well as unofficial ambassadors of aloha.

There is a danger in over-emphasizing the security aspect, in that too much control can squeeze the life and vitality out of an area. Waikiki must never become a place where only those people and activities sanctioned by the visitor industry are welcome.

It is a place for all of us. And if it is a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, then both tourist and local resident will rediscover Waikiki as the treasure it is.

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