HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	171
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

supporting the Establishment of twenty-four hour open-air CULTURAL marketplaces throughout Hawaii.

     WHEREAS, in a time of economic distress for our State, the Legislature supports ways to help keep critical dollars within the State, strengthen the State's communities, and provide a boost to local business, which in turn will help the state and local governments by providing increased revenue streams; and

     WHEREAS, many residents expect the convenience provided by food and retail establishments open twenty-four hours, and many companies in Hawaii have made the move to offer products and services for sale around the clock; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's thousands of visitors have the freedom to plan their stay as they see fit, resulting in those with early-morning and late-night schedules, and many visitors expect the convenience provided by food, retail, and entertainment establishments open twenty-four hours; and

     WHEREAS, one of Hawaii's strongest attractions for visitors is its uniquely diverse cultural heritage, and the sharing of food, music, art, and other gifts of those cultures; and

     WHEREAS, showcasing Hawaii's diverse culture to visitors will provide economic stimulus and the prospect of future growth to the State's visitor industry; and

     WHEREAS, the establishment of twenty-four hour open-air cultural marketplaces across Hawaii will provide visitors with opportunities to have a truly local experience, unique to the islands, enabling them to shop for locally grown and made items from Hawaii's entrepreneurs, artisans, and farmers; taste Hawaii's finest delicacies; gather to enjoy entertainment; and engage with people that make up Hawaii's diverse cultures; and

     WHEREAS, additional dollars for the state economy can be generated by offering visitors and residents places to shop, dine, take in cultural experiences, and be entertained around the clock; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature supports the establishment of twenty-four hour open-air cultural marketplaces throughout Hawaii to encourage visitor and resident spending to strengthen the state economy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to develop strategies to encourage visitor and resident spending through the establishment of twenty-four hour open-air cultural marketplaces across the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to submit a report of its progress and its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2013; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; President of The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; and State Director of the Hawaii Small Business Development Center.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Support for Establishment of Twenty-four Hour Open-air Cultural Marketplaces