HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

5

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATURE, AND HAWAII BUSINESS LEADERS TO DISCUSS WITH HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING AND ENHANCING HAWAII'S FREE TRADE ZONE PROGRAM.

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii is the only island state in the United States and is located in the center of a growing Pacific trade that involves the newly industrializing and industrialized nations of Asia and Southeast Asia; and

WHEREAS, the people of Hawaii have special language skills and relationships with these Asian nations; and

WHEREAS, the expansion and enhancement of Hawaii's free trade zone program would increase the number of business travelers to Hawaii and increase the demand for travel services, which would:

(1) Result in the full use of existing hotel rooms;

(2) Increase the use of, and demand for, convention and trade show space in the Hawaii Convention Center; and

(3) Increase the demand for locally trained and competent service personnel;

and

WHEREAS, the United States Customs Service would be able to more effectively control the transport of merchandise and assess duties on merchandise transported out of the state at various ports of embarkation, including harbors and airports; and

WHEREAS, the increase in customs activities would also provide job opportunities for Hawaii residents and provide opportunities and possibilities for the expansion of existing businesses and for the growth and cultivation of new endeavors; and

WHEREAS, the future of the state's economy compels innovative and bold action; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Governor, the Legislature, and Hawaii business leaders selected by the Governor, are requested to discuss with Hawaii's Congressional delegation the possibility of expanding and enhancing the State's free trade zone program, in particular, expanding the scope of activities allowed in existing zones and facilitating fulfillment of United States Customs Service requirements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to aggressively promote and assist the Hawaii Convention Center, which received federal approval in 1995 for inclusion in Hawaii's free trade zone program, to be transformed into a special duty-free and tax-free arena for foreign exhibits and merchandise and a major wholesaling venue for the Pacific Rim; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to select an appropriate number of persons who are business leaders in Hawaii to participate in the discussions with Hawaii's Congressional delegation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation, and to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, who in turn, is requested to disseminate copies to the business leaders selected by the Governor.

 
 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Free Trade Zone