HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	6
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Encouraging the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Department of Business, Economic development, and Tourism to redirect financial and other resources from tourism marketing to the maintenance and preservation of Hawaii's beaches.

     WHEREAS, pollution continues to increase in Hawaii, and neglecting beach maintenance and preservation creates a public hazard and makes Hawaii less attractive to tourism; and

     WHEREAS, recreation and park personnel lack sufficient resources for extensive beach sustainability and maintenance projects, and most beach clean-ups are dependent upon the efforts of nonprofit organizations, community service groups, and volunteer workers; and

    WHEREAS, Hawaii's beaches are a main attraction for many of the tourists who visit Hawaii, and the success of the marketing efforts of the tourist industry is directly linked to the condition of our beaches; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Tourism Authority was appropriated $69.2 million in fiscal year 2006, $70.7 million in fiscal year 2007, and $87 million, at this time, for fiscal years 2008 and 2009; and

     WHEREAS, out of these appropriations, a substantial amount is spent on marketing, including $50.1 million in fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and $50.7 million, at this time, for fiscal years 2008 and 2009; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is encouraged to redirect financial and other resources from marketing to the maintenance and preservation of Hawaii's beaches; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, to the Mayor and the Chairperson of the Council of each county, the President of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

HTA, DBEDT; Appropriate Funds from Tourism Marketing; Preservation of Hawaii's Beaches