CLINGING TO TOURISM IS NOT THE WAY AHEAD

Begging to differ with the First Hawaiian Bank report on the local economy, which, according to your April 2 article, says: "Because tourism is responsible for by far the largest outside injections into the state economy, that is the sector that should receive the highest priority in stimulus spending."

This approach is only a repeat of the mistake we have made for the past several decades. We have seen in the past what we are seeing now: when tourism slows, our whole state-economy falters. And if we cling to this dependence on tourism, we are likely to see more of the same in the future.

Investment in environmental protection and education seem more sensible priorities for stimulus spending. These pave the path to a more stable and diversified economy in Hawai'i, in the long run.

Don't worry — the tourists will come, as they always have, when they have a little money in their pockets.

I would hope that the state Legislature take a more imaginative approach to economic stimulus than feeding off of tourism and that they don't take this First Hawaiian Bank Report too seriously.

CIVIL UNIONS

SENATORS' FAILURE ON JUSTICE IS SHAMEFUL

The failure of our state senators to support civil unions for gay and lesbian citizens at a time when such diverse places as Spain, South Africa and Iowa offer full marriage rights is a shameful denial of Hawai'i's tradition of justice and tolerance. It is clear now that they caved in to the well-organized protests of the Religious Right, who don't represent all of us in the Christian community, let alone the fair-minded majority of our citizens. The constitutional separation of church and state was designed to protect us from precisely this kind of doctrinal tyranny.

History will be on the side of those who stand for justice and I promise that there will be a time when all those who resisted civil rights in the name of senatorial "procedure" will bow their heads in shame.

CIGAR TAX

HIKE TO DRIVE HONEST RETAILERS OVER BRINK

I own a state-licensed retail store that sells cigars. I have served the needs of this community for 12 years. The approximate average age of my customers is around 40. I am frequently complimented for the level of quality products that I keep in my store from both locals and visitors.

However, I may be forced to close my doors not directly because of this economy, but because of a proposed tax. This legislature has been largely deaf to our request for a review of the 90 percent tax on cigars. They apparently have no qualms about allowing yet another business to close its doors.

Is anyone even concerned that this will allow the underground (black market) economy to flourish, untaxed, unregulated and untraceable? The Tax Foundation of Hawai'i has not endorsed this increase either. They feel that revenues will actually be driven down.

I would encourage this legislature to put a cap on a per-cigar sale. Just like Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Iowa and other tax-progressive states.

Even California reduced its economic unfriendly tax by 20 percent. Hopefully reason and saneness will prevail before this Legislature drives us over the tax brink.