The 2009 Legislature's epitaph could be "the future be damned."

The lawmakers defied logic by raising the transient accommodations tax at a time when hoteliers are lowering room rates in an effort to lure visitors likely to stay home or head for less expensive destinations. It won't kill the goose but it probably will keep the bird on short rations.

An even more egregious failure of the Legislature, however, was ignoring a chance to put people to work improving and protecting the islands' main resource. Visitors don't come to enjoy hotels, although they well might. They come to enjoy the outdoors, in the ocean and in state parks.

For probably the first time in history, the governor and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources put together a plan to refurbish state parks, trailer ramps and small-boat harbors, all facilities that not only attract visitors but also provide opportunities for small businesses and local workers.

Just as important as the direct economic benefits, the governor's "Recreational Renaissance" signaled a concern for a resource that has always been neglected due to exactly the kind of specious reasoning expressed by Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-Waihiawa-Poamoho:

"For every dollar in bonds you spend on fixing up a park, that same amount of money would be taken from a classroom or a school."

That's not true. The DLNR plan would use bonds to do the work and then charge entrance fees to tourists to pay back the money.

At a time when legislators could have shown foresight and statesmanship, they closed their eyes to everything but actions most likely to have an immediate political payoff. When the public doesn't understand a necessary action, it's incumbent upon conscientious politicians to credibly explain it. No such credible explanation has been offered.

It's been said that it is not enough to want what you want, you must also want the consequences. The consequences of ignoring Hawaii's natural environment will be costly, and the complaints voiced by visitors about decrepit and sometimes filthy facilities such as wayside parks will only grow louder.

* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.