HR158.DOC

WHEREAS, in 1997, the Hawaii Economic Revitalization Task Force (Task Force) was formed to determine actions to kick-start the state's weakened economy; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's visitor arrivals declined greatly in the 1990s and, as a result, the Task Force recommended that the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) be created; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, the Legislature adopted the recommendation of the Task Force and established the HTA, which was to be responsible for tourism policy development, marketing, market development, product development, and impact monitoring; and

WHEREAS, HTA is also responsible for creating a vision and developing a long-range, strategic plan for tourism; and

WHEREAS, in the January 2009 "Auditor's Report No. 09-02" (Report), one of the findings was, "The HTA's short-range approach to tourism policy hinders its ability to strategically manage the long-term growth of Hawaii's visitor industry"; and

WHEREAS, one of the recommendations in the Report is that HTA's Board of Directors "exercise the leadership necessary for the development of an action plan that gives a clear picture of the authority's long-term direction and expected outcomes from its activities in terms that can be objectively measured"; and

WHEREAS, additionally, there are other issues that HTA should focus on including workforce development and retention, product development, reviewing policies, and communicating with the Legislature; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that HTA is requested to focus part of its time and resources to the following non-marketing tasks:

(1) Dedicating more time and resources, as well as a portion of its budget, to:

(A) Long-term strategic planning; and

(B) Workforce development and retention;

(2) Further enhancing product development; and

(3) Reviewing its policies and making recommendations to the Legislature;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to fill the vacant position on the HTA Board of Directors as soon as possible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President and Chief Executive Officer of HTA, and Chair of the HTA Board of Directors.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

HTA; Non-marketing Issues; Board of Directors

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	158
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII