THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

182

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY AND THE ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS TO CO-HOST A CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF TOURISM IN HAWAII INCLUDING THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS UPON NATIVE HAWAIIANS, THEIR CULTURES, COMMUNITIES, AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

 

WHEREAS, tourism is one of Hawaii's leading service industries; and

WHEREAS, tourism dollars benefit all sectors of Hawaii's economy and impact almost everyone who lives in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, tourism has been and is likely to remain the lead economic mainstay far into Hawaii's future; and

WHEREAS, although Hawaii's economy has benefited in general and many Native Hawaiians are employed within the industry, the majority of the workers are paid marginal wages and minimum benefits, are underrepresented in management, and have little influence among key policymakers; and

WHEREAS, many aspects of native culture and artistry are exploited, expropriated, and commercialized for tourist profits; and

WHEREAS, there are many aspects of tourism that need to be addressed, including:

(1) The disproportionate impact of tourism on Hawaii's infrastructure, land, natural resources and environment;

(2) The assaults upon rural, scenic communities from land, air, and sea, that include tour buses, noisy helicopter fly-overs, and ocean jet skis;

(3) The disturbance to traditional areas of subsistence farming and fishing;

(4) The innumerable other forms of tourist entertainment and recreation that are disrespectful of Native Hawaiians' right to quiet enjoyment and privacy in their homes and on their native lands; and

(5) The impact upon native residents of Hawaii in the most remote and scenic communities, who still live or practice their cultural lifestyle, and are overwhelmed by tourists who regard them as curiosities on display; and

WHEREAS, the exploitation of Native Hawaiian culture in combination with the marginal role of Hawaiians within the tourism industry only deepens their sense of injustice in the context of their political history; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs are urged to co-host a conference to discuss the future of tourism in Hawaii including the social, political, economic, cultural and environmental impacts upon Native Hawaiians, their cultures, communities, and natural resources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Executive Director of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Board of Directors of Hawaii Maoli, and the Dean of the Travel Industry Management School of the University of Hawaii.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii; Tourism; Conference; Native Hawaiians