Posted on: Thursday, November 1, 2001

Editorial
Gifts, promotions must be part of plan

Once again, Hawai'i businesses have stepped up to help organizations hard hit by the downturn resulting from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Several dozen museums and other nonprofit attractions will be offering free or discounted admission for the holiday season thanks to donations from First Hawaiian Bank, First Hawaiian Foundation, Bank of Hawaii, Alexander & Baldwin and others.

Here's a way the state could get in on the game: Why not use part of the state's tourism advertising and promotion money to support a program of vouchers with cash value that can be spent in Island shops, tourist attractions and restaurants?

Clearly, we don't have the money to give substantial vouchers to every arriving visitor. That would break the bank.

But on a spot basis, vouchers could be given to the airlines to be used as promotions, or as in-flight giveaways. Publicize it, make it fun and rewarding for the winners and for our struggling visitor industry. Whatever money goes into this will stay right here, and the state will get a fair chunk of it back in taxes as well.