The West Hawaii Today article last week regarding the renovation of the Hilo Municipal Golf Course caught my attention. Apparently it has been discovered that numerous variances have been requested in order to bring the project up to code. Aside from the millions already being spent on the renovation, payment of overtime to various employees has been authorized in order to get the project completed and also to avoid further inconvenience to residents who are able to play there for under $10 per round.
Really, now?
On Oct. 17 in WHT, there is a lovely photo of hole No. 12 at Kona Country Club, which also caught my attention. For over 25 years that was the home course of my lady’s golf group. After being closed for three years, it re-opened within the past year at an increase of over 40 percent in kamaaina rates, which was unacceptable to many of us. Now instead of a five-minute drive to golf, a great many of us travel 45 minutes, twice a week, to more user-friendly courses.
Hawaii County residents have enjoyed subsidized (read taxpayer funded) golf in Hilo forever. I recall reading an article quite sometime ago that stated the municipal course had never turned a profit and yet rate increases were slow to come to help offset expenses. Now, I’m quite sure that my lady’s club would be welcome at Hilo Muni, and we would surely welcome a $10 rate, but that would require a three-hour round trip commute and on occasion a total bust due to inclement weather.
The only real option open to us is to continue playing in West Hawaii on public golf courses which are privately owned and the price to play is subject to the whim of management. Presently that translates in real dollars to a minimum 500 percent increase over what residents pay to golf in Hilo. So, we West Hawaii lovers of the game are hit with a double whammy — a chunk of our tax dollars are being used to renovate a course and subsidize green fees for basically golfers in East Hawaii. Further, because there is no municipal course in West Hawaii, we are subjected to paying much more to enjoy the same sport.
So, what needs to happen to change this inequality? In my opinion the county needs to make good on its promise to either build or buy a golf course and driving range in West Hawaii that is open to everyone. Green fees should be adjusted at both muni courses so all residents and guests are paying their fair share. We need reasonable rates for golf clubs and seniors so they can remain active and engaged in the community. There are countless organizations whose biggest fundraisers are charity tournaments, which due to the increased cost of playing, are finding participation levels dwindling. A new municipal west side course could turn that around to the benefit of all. We also need to support our junior golfers in West Hawaii so they can practice, play, and compete with east side juniors.
Further, I believe a West Hawaii muni course could generate a considerable amount of revenue from tourists simply by charging an increased, but reasonable price to play. Finally, it would provide numerous jobs, such as ground and maintenance crews, pro shop staff, cart barn employees, and management positions.
In closing, our economy on Hawaii Island is doing well. It’s high time to get the long-ago-promised West Hawaii Municipal Golf Course back on the drawing board and brought to fruition to the benefit of all.
Judy Armstrong-Burger is a resident of Kailua-Kona
