Editorials
Thursday, September 11, 1997THE decision to waive airline landing fees at Hawaii airports for two years is a sensible attempt to help tourism by encouraging the airlines to add Hawaii flights, reduce fares and spend more money on marketing Hawaii as a visitor destination. Governor Cayetano's decision is another aspect of his efforts to stimulate the economy and should be supported. State waiver of
airline fees makes senseLanding fees typically account for about 5 percent of airline operating costs although they may run as high as 10 percent in some cases -- a substantial number. However, no one should be deluded into thinking this is some sort of magic bullet.
Although the decision was hailed by airline officials, it's uncertain that the savings -- estimated at $40 million a year for the 26 commercial airlines serving the state -- will be sufficient to induce the airlines to take the kinds of actions that the state would like -- at least in the magnitude that could make a major difference to tourism.
The reason the governor was able to declare the moratorium on landing fees is that there is a $218 million surplus in the airport revenue fund that is not earmarked for reserves or any specific project. The surplus was explained as the result of cost-saving measures, unplanned reimbursements and reduction of debt service costs through refinancing.
The main source of revenue for the fund is airport concessions, particularly the duty-free shops and restaurants, which produced $165 million last year. Landing fees generated $35 million. When concession income increases, landing fees can be reduced. The airport system is financially self-supporting. No revenues from the general fund are provided.
Cayetano noted that most of the airport fund money had been earmarked to build a $450 million transit system at Honolulu Airport to replace the wiki-wiki bus system. That project has been scrapped. The proposed "people mover" system would have been very expensive, but something will have to be done to replace the current antiquated system before too long -- and the money will have to come from the airport fund.
The surplus the governor is relying on to enable him to suspend landing fees only exists because the state is deferring action on the airport transit system. It can't ignore the need for such improvements indefinitely. The condition of the airport affects tourism, too.
THE death of Princess Diana has spurred a backlash in Hollywood against the tabloid press, a retributive effort engineered by the very people who usually court publicity. One of the new celebrity-activists on the warpath is movie and TV actor Tom Selleck. Mr. "Magnum, P.I." himself has been phoning up fellow celebrities to respond to those in the print and broadcast media who deal with the paparazzi. Tom Selleck's crusade
There is hypocrisy powering such tirades from celebrities. These personalities are intent on dictating which kinds of media coverage are acceptable to them and which aren't. They are using public outrage after the death of Diana, who was fleeing camera-wielding photographers before her fatal car accident in Paris, to narrow the dissemination of celebrity "news."
Many more millions read these tabloids or watch tabloid TV shows for entertainment value than are covered by the paparazzi. It's insulting to expect this large segment of the population to acquiesce to the desires of a rich-and-famous jet set objecting to one aspect of their public existence.
HAWAII Republicans should persuade either Quentin Kawananakoa or Gene Ward to quit the race for Congress. The party can ill afford to lose either one of them in a primary battle. Hawaii Republicans
Kawananakoa and Ward are vying for the Republican nomination to take on Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who is still seen as vulnerable after twice fending off Orson Swindle. Ward just announced his candidacy, four months after Kawananakoa.
Swindle confused the situation by first endorsing Kawananakoa, then Ward. This clumsiness is not helpful to the Republican cause. State Chairwoman Donna Alcantara said Swindle hadn't informed her of his switch.
Kawananakoa said he had no intention of withdrawing despite the latest developments.
A primary battle would consume needed funds and give Abercrombie ammunition for the general election. Both candidates are too valuable to the party to be squandered in this way.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
