Brunch, Sunset on Beach costs approach $1 million
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What do you think of the city's spending on the Sunset and Brunch on the Beach programs? Take part in our discussion.
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
The popular Brunch on the Beach and Sunset on the Beach events have cost Honolulu taxpayers more than $900,000, three times the city's initial estimate, city managing director Ben Lee said yesterday.
Lee provided a partial breakdown of costs for salary, setup and equipment yesterday in response to questions from the City Council's Budget Committee. His figures indicated that the price tag for most salaries, umbrella tables, artificial turf, rentals and other items add up to more than $904,000 plus $50,000 paid to the Waikiki Improvement Association.
He said those figures do not include the cost of taking the sunset movies to other communities such as Kailua, Wai'anae and, this weekend, Waipahu.
Council members generally support the effort but said they would like to see other businesses or organizations share the cost, especially when the city budget is so tight.
Councilman Gary Okino said he sees the benefits and hears the praise.
"Let's see if we can find some way to reduce the cost of it," he said.
Council budget chairwoman Ann Kobayashi, who has proposed $19.2 million in budget cuts for 2002-03, said the city has to set priorities. She notes no opposition to the beach programs.
"It's just, do we have enough money?" she said.
Supporters from hotels, the visitor industry and residents who believe the events are fun have been calling the Council to support the programs and praise them for helping to revitalize Waikiki.
Brunch on the Beach was launched in July as a once-a-month event. Sunset on the Beach, which features outdoor movies, began in November and is held about three weekends a month.
