STAND. COM. REP. NO.  520

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1020

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Tourism & Culture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1020 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOURISM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to support efforts to provide a skilled, highly-trained workforce for the hospitality industry by appropriating funds to support Hawaiian hospitality training programs for workforce development on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui, under the condition that only an amount that is equal to half of the amount invested by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) in Hawaiian hospitality training programs for workforce development is to be appropriated.

     HTA supported this bill.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the intent of this bill.

     Your Committee finds that this measure is intended to address the specific needs of the Neighbor Islands with respect to the Hawaiian hospitality training programs for workforce development.  The island of Oahu may be considered after the needs of the Neighbor Islands are met. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism & Culture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1020 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism & Culture,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair