HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	118
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the hawaii tourism authority to coordinate development and DISTRIBUTION to VISITORS of information on recreation safety and crime prevention.

     WHEREAS, tourism has long been and will continue to be one of the cornerstones of Hawaii's economy; and

     WHEREAS, people on vacation and even those visiting the State for business tend to be less cautious because of the aloha spirit with which they are greeted; and

     WHEREAS, visitors engaging in recreational activities often are unfamiliar with the natural hazards present in the island environment, including rip currents, box jellyfish, treacherous terrain, and volcanic fumes; and

     WHEREAS, the fight against crime is hampered by limited resources and the fact that police and other law enforcement agencies cannot be present to protect visitors or residents against every crime; and

     WHEREAS, increases in drug use and solicitation impact visitor expenditures and visitor experiences; and

     WHEREAS, global conditions dictate increased visitor awareness and other security measures; and

     WHEREAS, despite the best efforts, crime, accidents, and other emergencies occur; and

     WHEREAS, the efforts of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to date have focused on responding to crimes, accidents, or other emergencies that have befallen visitors; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, as part of the Visitor Assistance Program, partners with one organization in each of the four counties to address the needs of visitors who experience hardships while in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, although efforts to date have focused on addressing the situation after incidents have occurred, prevention efforts have become even more critical; and

     WHEREAS, opportunities for education and awareness to prevent accidental injuries and criminal victimization must be explored and, on a broader level, campaigns must be developed to increase awareness of all health and safety issues are needed to reduce the number of accidents that occur and to decrease criminal activity; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is requested to coordinate development and distribution to visitors of information on recreation safety and crime prevention; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is requested to work with the Attorney General, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; the Mayor and Chief of Police of each of the four counties; vendors with which it has contracted to market Hawaii to the various regions of the world; the Visitors Bureau for each of the four counties; and representatives of the air and cruise lines serving Hawaii, the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association, and medical and social service professionals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is requested to submit a report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Attorney General, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Resources, the Chair and the Executive Director of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Mayor and Chief of Police of each of the four counties, the Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau of each county, who, in turn, is requested to submit copies to the Hawaii Hotel and

Lodging Association, the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Hotel and Visitor Industry Security Association in that county.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Visitor Safety Awareness