STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1566

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 63

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 63 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON POTENTIAL INDUSTRIES, OTHER THAN TOURISM, TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism conduct a study on potential industries, other than tourism, to promote economic development in the County of Hawaii.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committees find that Hawaii imports over ninety percent of the products that the State consumes. Supporting local manufacturers can help supply more of the products that residents of Hawaii consume and enhance the State's economy through job generation. Your Committees also find that the County of Hawaii is the largest county in the State by land area and may be a good location to establish manufacturing facilities. The establishment of a strong manufacturing industry based in the County of Hawaii would allow the county and State to diversify their sources of revenue generation, rather than continuing to rely primarily on tourism. Your Committees further find that although manufacturing appears to be a promising industry, more information is needed to confirm this and determine whether any other revenue-producing industries are viable options for the County of Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 63 and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

________________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair