Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 36, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize and request the Governor to establish a sister-state relationship between Hawaii and the State of Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Representative Helene Hale, United Nations Association of the United States of America, Office of International Education at the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Intergenerational Network, Wisdom Factors International, Sister Cities International, Lions Club of Honolulu, Muslim Association of Hawaii, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that one of the ways that the State has helped to strengthen Hawaii's economic ties to high-growth areas of the world, particularly Asia, is by establishing sister state/province relationships. Examples include Guangdong, China and Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Okinawa in Japan. These relationships have resulted in a firm foundation upon which economic and business relationships can be established and expanded.

A sister-state relationship with the State of Rabat-Salé- Zemmour-Zaër of the Kingdom of Morocco, one of the most progressive and tolerant nations in the Islamic world, could provide great opportunities for Hawaii's specialized services in tourism development and related fields. Morocco is in the process of developing into a tourist destination in North America and Europe. Hawaii could assist Morocco by our tourism expertise in developing a tourism infrastructure in Morocco, to the mutual benefit of both parties.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 36, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.