Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 88, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Governor convene a task force to consider how the Hilo area can maximize the economic opportunities presented by the cruise industry.

Your Committee recognizes that the homeporting of one or more cruise ships in a given location could confer many benefits upon the surrounding area. Your Committee also finds that Hilo is an area which offers the appropriate infrastructure, amenities, attractions, character, and capacity that would support the "in port" days of one or more luxury liners and their passengers.

Your Committee is therefore supportive of the recent display of interest by many of the appropriate parties, and by the recent initiatives by the Lieutenant Governor and the Big Island Visitors Bureau to organize and mobilize a concerted effort to achieve the goal of developing the cruise industry for the Hilo area. Your Committee further believes that partnering with the County of Hawaii will provide the best structure for proceeding with this effort. Accordingly, your Committee finds that this resolution will help lay additional groundwork and lend the momentum needed to get it on its way.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 88, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.