HR228.DOC

WHEREAS, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was formed in 1989 and is the premier forum for facilitating free trade, economic growth, and investment cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, the APEC region represents over 40% of the world's population and over 50% of the world's trade; and

WHEREAS, APEC is a group of 21 member economies (not countries) of the Asia Pacific region, including, for example, the large economies of China, USA, Russia, Canada, and the smaller economies Peru, Mexico, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, etc., and operates on the basis of non-binding commitments, open dialogue and equal respect of all participants; and

WHEREAS, national flags are not flown at these events to keep focus on decisions made by consensus and commitments that are undertaken on a voluntary basis; and

WHEREAS, APEC's impact on the city in which they hold their annual conferences create immediate growth in business activity and may establish that city as a place to facilitate other global diplomatic conferences; and

WHEREAS, Honolulu has been afforded the opportunity to show its ability to compete with the international capitals of the world by being designated by President Barack Obama as the host city for the November 2011 APEC meeting in the United States, and

WHEREAS, in these tough economic difficulties, such an event, which brings 21 heads of state, 63 ministers of industry and foreign affairs and more than 16,000 foreign diplomats, support staff and media members from around the world, would be a great stimulus to Hawaii's economy; and

WHEREAS, the success of the 2011 APEC Conference to be held in Hawaii's capitol city, Honolulu, will give its citizens and government leaders the opportunity to re-brand itself as a premier diplomatic destination, a "Geneva of the Pacific"; and

WHEREAS, hosting this event will be a true test of Hawaii's mettle to plan and execute a world class conference of foreign leaders and multi-national businesses; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii already has some of the must-haves for this event, such as the East-West Center, proven security capacities, a beautiful modern convention center within close proximity to the highest concentration of international-quality hotel rooms in the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, there are also must-haves that need to be addressed, such as airport modernization, expanded broadband access and speed, road repairs, traffic congestion abatement, expanded security and a marketing plan to inform the public of the importance of projecting the Aloha Spirit to our foreign guests as well as other needs that are pertinent to making Honolulu ready for its new destiny; and

WHEREAS, cooperation amongst Hawaii's political, academic and business leaders along with the East-West Center and the White House (which is ultimately responsible and in charge of this event) must be comprehensive and cohesive to achieve the goal of Honolulu hosting the November 2011 APEC conference; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that a Hawaii APEC 2011 Strategic Planning Commission be established by the Governor of the State of Hawaii to begin discussion for bringing together leaders from the political, academic and business communities in Hawaii to expedite the preparation of Hawaii's capitol city and its citizens for the November 2011 APEC Conference; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii, the Honorable Mufi Hannemann, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and Ted Liu, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

APEC Preparation Commission of Hawaii; establish

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	228
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII