(AP) — Some Big Island officials have questioned the need to pump money into tourism promotion, but a measure to reallocate budget funds was voted down. The issue came up at a county council budget meeting last week. North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba is concerned that other areas of the budget are being neglected. Inaba proposed removing $359,000 from the Department of Research and Development’s $459,000 line item for tourism promotion contract services. But Inaba’s measure died on a 3-5 vote. Those voting against the measure said the funds focus on the importance of responsible tourism.

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