It’s that glorious time of year when we give thanks. It’s actually OK to give thanks anytime. “They” don’t get to tell you when to be appreciative, humble, or acknowledging. Gift cookies or plants in June, not just November/December. Today, I’d like to present premature, presumptuous thanks to those involved with items that’ll be (hopefully) resolved in 2026.
Kudos to the efforts being made by the state, golf guru Mark Rolfing, and others to save the PGA season-opening, Sentry-sponsored golf event at Kapalua. No other local site can quickly ramp up for 2027. Hopefully, water/course maintenance conundrums can be resolved, as the ripple effects of losing this event beyond 2026 would create large business, philanthropic, and golf ramifications that we simply cannot afford in Hawai`i. January’s annual Sony Open and the Hualalai PGA Senior event provide obvious golf synergy and great marketing. The survival of these two events might become precarious if Sentry opts not to tee it up on Maui in 2027. So thanks to those working to work it all out in the coming months.
Thanks to the 2026 state legislature for seeing the (klieg) lights and increasing necessary film industry tax credits. Last session, a measure was close to moving to center stage but got cut. As the 2026 session is on the horizon, DBEDT, the governor, legislators, et al., are revamping the details of concern to help ensure that this vital film tax credit increase gets through. Whether you liked the show or not, the fact that Dwayne Johnson’s high profile, “Chief of War” Hawaiian saga was mostly filmed elsewhere due to our lower tax credits is a mock of a sham of a farce. So kudos (prematurely) to those rallying behind this revised bill, which will help provide more jobs for locals and promote magical vistas that viewers just how special Hawai`i is.
Finally, a big mahalo to Hawai`i’s incredible non-profit network that helps those in need stay clothed, housed, fed, cared for, attended to, treated, and respected in these stark days of federal budgets cuts and useless D.C. legislators who rarely do their jobs. Whatever happened to by the people, for the people? Stretching charity staff hours and already strained budgets will be problematic, but these nurturing, caring, empathetic professionals rank among the best of us- day in and day out. Please help where/when you can this holiday season… and next June.
Think about it…