There has been a great deal of discussion over whether or not gambling would be good for Hawaii. While gambling may seem like a tempting solution to the economic problems our state has faced in the past few years, I believe the costs far outweigh any benefits gambling might bring.

There has been a lot of talk by the proponents of gambling about the economic windfall it could provide the state. Yet there is good reason to doubt that gambling will prove to be the economic panacea that some claim. Indeed, for the following reasons, I am suspicious that it would have any positive effect on our economy.

• There is no proof that gambling will bring any new money into the economy. Instead it diverts money away from local small businesses. There are numerous examples of casinos moving in and pushing out smaller business. Do we really want our mom and pop stores and our family owned restaurants to have to compete with large mainland corporations?
  
  
• Gambling may hurt Hawaii’s appeal to tourists. This state has spent generations creating a unique environment. People come from all over the world for the natural beauty of our islands as well as the distinct cultural environment. This is what makes a trip to Hawaii such a special and memorable experience. We ought to encourage the kind of tourism that compliments our strengths, such as eco-tourism, rather than erode them by promoting activities like gambling.
  
  
• When dealing with our state’s economic problems, we need to look at long term solutions rather than get rich quick schemes. We know the state is already overly dependent on the tourism industry. Gambling will do nothing to help diversify our economy. We are currently looking into other economic development alternative such as supporting the software and technology industries. Furthermore, we know that gambling wreaks havoc on the social fabric of a community. For the following reasons, I cannot, in good conscience, support introducing such a destructive element into our state.
  
  
• By increasing the accessibility of gambling we are virtually ensuring that a significant percentage of our residents will develop a serious gambling problem. Compulsive gamblers destroy lives. They drain their bank accounts, are inclined to commit crimes in order to support their addiction, and finally, they are five to ten times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
  
  
• Gambling brings with it a significant increase in crime. The proponents of gambling claim the increase in crime is merely due to an increase in the number of people in an area. Regardless of what the cause is, with our over-burdened justice system, are we prepared to deal with a significant increase in crime?
  
  
• Gambling literally destroys families. Many communities have seen dramatic increases in their divorce rates, domestic violence, and suicide soon after legalized gambling is introduced. We need to protect our children and our families from gambling.
  

I am thoroughly convinced that there is no place for gambling in our beautiful state. All too many states have dabbled with gambling in the hopes of finding easy money only to regret their choice when they begin to deal with the disappointment and destruction gambling brings. I am proud that our state is one of only two states in the nation that have stood up to gambling interests. I believe we need to continue to be an example for the rest of the nation and hold fast in the belief that there are better solutions.