Posted on: Sunday, July 14, 2002

EDITORIAL
Sunset on the Beach gets some timely help

We commend the Outrigger hotel chain for stepping up to the plate to ensure that this weekend's Sunset on the Beach festivities didn't fall victim to the city's budget difficulties.

It's a fine example of enlightened self-interest, as some 7,000 members of the American Youth Soccer Organization are in town — many of them staying at Outrigger properties — for the 2002 AYSO National Games, which end Sunday at the Waipi'o soccer complex.

Of course, the "Sunset" activities are perfect for the kids and their families; it'll make a fine ending for their visit.

We've been pleased that this program has been successful in bringing local residents back to Waikiki and meshing them with visitors. But we, along with critics in the City Council, question whether this should be entirely a government function. As effective and fun as these events are, they hardly fit into the core mission of the City and County, which is to provide basic municipal services such as fire and police protection, road maintenance and sewer and water services.

The Outrigger gesture suggests a solution: The city can organize and facilitate, while hotels, restaurants and the rest of the visitor industry can do more of the fiscal heavy lifting.

That way, everyone wins.