STAND. COM. REP. NO. 291

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 545

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on International Affairs and the Arts and Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 545 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FESTIVAL OF PACIFIC ARTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to create a temporary commission on the thirteenth Festival of Pacific Arts to plan for the historic event to be held in Honolulu from June 11 to June 27, 2020.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Leeward Community College; The Leeward Theatre at the Leeward Community College; PA'I Foundation; Royal Hawaiian Center; Pacific Islanders in Communications; Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club; Island Agency NYC+HNL; and six individuals.

     Your Committees find that the Festival of Pacific Arts is a landmark event that will highlight the unique art and culture of Hawaii.  The festival brings together delegations from approximately twenty-seven Pacific island nations for events, activities, and performances.  Through highlighting Hawaii's arts, culture, design, and music, the festival will help advance the State's commitment to creating global markets for creative entrepreneurs.  Your Committees note that the recommended appropriation to create the temporary commission and to equip the commission for festival planning purposes is $1,500,000.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority or the President's designee as a member of the commission;

     (2)  Adding the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu or the Mayor's designee as a member of the commission; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on International Affairs and the Arts and Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 545, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 545, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on International Affairs and the Arts and Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair