Honolulu Councilmen Ernie Martin and Stanley Chang are proposing two new bills, Bill 81 and Bill 82, which would require that commercial property owners in Waikiki must contribute to the beach restoration projects for that neighborhood. Under the Bills, commercial property owners from Ala Wai Harbor to Kaimana Beach and from Ala Wai Canal to the ocean would be taxed an estimated 7.63 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. This would generate about $600,000 per year for the Waikiki neighborhood.
Rick Egged, the president of the Waikiki Improvement Association and a supporter of the bills, stated, "It spreads the cost over all stakeholders rather than the few who are willing to come up with the money. It also gives us a seat at the table to make sure that the projects are done properly and that they are in keeping with stakeholder objectives. I think all of our members generally believe that establishing this major public-private partnership is necessary," City Councilman Chang added, "As Waikiki's councilmember for the last four years, I believe strongly that the only way to preserve Waikiki Beach for today's and tomorrow's residents and visitors alike is to develop and implement a coordinated comprehensive plan for all of the beach rather than continue to react to spot crises."
Jerry Gibson, the area vice president of Hilton Hawaii, stated that he will support the bills provided that the money stays focused on improving Waikiki beach. Gibson commented, "I believe in the public and private aspect of putting it together. I wouldn't like to see the money go toward creating a bureaucracy. I want to see it go to maintenance and care of the beaches. We've seen with weather and hurricanes and those kinds of things that the beach can go away quickly. For the economic viability of Waikiki and the pleasure of the tourists and locals who live here, it's important to continue to maintain the beach area and continue to make it the best in the world. If everyone does a little bit, we can do a lot together."
