Trending
I recently moved to Las Vegas from Maui. As I established new local relationships, I often hear the kindhearted words, "Welcome to Las Vegas."
Imagine my shock when I conversed during my first visit with a Las Vegas hairstylist. She asked me how my day was going. I replied that it was hectic as I had just moved from Maui. Her reply: "Doesn't Hawaii hate tourists?"
I was stunned that Hawaii's mixed messaging and declining aloha spirit had reached a mainland barber chair.
Hawaii's economic engine is tourism. Declining tourism brings island struggles and business failures, followed by an exodus of island families.
Hawaii's leadership voices better take notice because, as Tom Hanks said in the Apollo 13 NASA mission movie, "Houston, we have a problem."
Like the challenges Apollo 13 faced for survival, the survival challenges faced by Hawaii will require leadership and vision with outside-the-box thinking.
Island friends, please choose your leaders and voices wisely. It does make a difference for the best outcomes.
Phil Winter
Formally Kihei
Currently Las Vegas