A piece recently appeared on a newspaper opinion page chastising Hawaii's tourism industry for being so naive in thinking that Hawaii's tourism draw is its natural beauty and culture and not gambling. The argument that Hawaii needs to legalize gambling in order to remain a competitive tourist destination is specious.
Casino gambling is a direct threat to Hawaii's image, economy and community.
Hawaii cannot afford to sacrifice its status as one of the world's most sought after visitor experiences. People come here because of our beautiful beaches, wonderful weather, and dramatic scenery, but most of all because of our people. Our islands are known as a family vacation destination. Casino gambling seriously conflicts with this image. It is a myth that gambling is a state revenue booster.