Publisher, The Maui News
Linda Lingle told a Maui Chamber of Commerce audience Monday that one of her goals if elected to the United States Senate is to become a national “point person on tourism.”
She wants national media people to become aware of the importance of the industry and, when they have questions, “Call Lingle.”
The former governor said that not only is tourism important in Hawaii, but nationwide it represents almost 10 percent of the United States’ gross domestic product. Over 14 million citizens are employed in the industry. And, she pointed out that if we got the visitors back to 2000 levels, another 1.5 million jobs would be created.
To that end, Lingle wants to convince the government to take a more “realistic” approach to issuing visas. She cited her talks with Chinese officials who said many of their citizens would love to visit Hawaii but it can take months to even get an appointment to apply for a visa.
Lingle pointed out that the Chinese citizens who would come are well-off, not looking for a one-way ticket to the United States. They also spend an industry high average of $325 per day when they do come.
In short, Lingle said, these are very unlikely terrorists and methods to allow them to visit our country more easily need to be developed. “I want to be a person who makes our country more welcoming.”
The GOP candidate also pointed out that we should be looking for ways to work with China and not engage in “saber-rattling.” She agrees that manipulation of currency needs to be checked and U.S. intellectual property must be protected (“Trust, but verify”). But she notes that working with China on safety issues like building specifications for earthquakes will be much more productive than confrontation.
Lingle also said Hawaii’s geographic position will make it invaluable in the “new military.” The former governor said huge standing armies will be replaced by scientific and technological advances in warfare – and the Asia-Pacific region is where much of that advancement should take place.
Finally, Lingle countered claims by her opponents that she would toe the Republican Party line saying that coming from a hugely Democratic state, she always found ways to compromise.
“I have never – and will never – put my party ahead of the people of this state.”
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
