SR184

WHEREAS, tourism is the largest contributor to Hawaii’s economy, with visitors to Hawaii spending more than $17,000,000,000, in 2018, and generating more than $2,000,000,000 in tax revenue to the State in 2019; and

WHEREAS, tourism also supports more than two hundred thousand jobs; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, more than ten million visitors arrived in Hawaii, setting a visitor arrival record for the eighth consecutive year; and

WHEREAS, this increase in visitors has caused additional strain on infrastructure, facilities, and attractions utilized and enjoyed by residents and tourists alike; and

WHEREAS, between 2010 and 2018, agreement by residents with the statement "tourism brings more benefits than problems" has declined from eighty percent to fifty-nine percent; and

WHEREAS, this decline illustrates residents' growing concerns with the impacts that tourism may have on Hawaii's natural resources and the residents' respective communities; and

WHEREAS, these concerns have led to the formation of grassroots community groups that seek to mitigate the growing impacts of tourism; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has previously collaborated with other agencies to address the impacts of tourism; including collaborating with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop the Haena State Park management plan, funding "ambassadors" to manage traffic at Maunawili Falls, and working with the City and County of Honolulu to fund the installation of closed-circuit cameras in Waikiki; and

WHEREAS, tourism continues to remain an important part of Hawaii's economy but is impacting numerous sites throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has developed a new strategic plan that includes a rebalancing of the Authority's priorities with an emphasis on the Authority's tourism management functions; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is requested to conduct a study to identify and address the impacts of tourism on communities throughout the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include the following:

(1) Identification and prioritization of issues caused by tourism that impact communities throughout the State and any sites in which those issues are particularly prevalent;

(2) Development of processes to:

(A) Address the issues identified pursuant to paragraph (1);

(B) Determine any resources, including staffing, necessary to identify affected stakeholders;

(D) Work directly with public and private stakeholders to address the issues identified pursuant to paragraph (1);

(E) Assist affected communities and applicable public and private stakeholders to develop solutions to the issues identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and

(F) Identify sources of funding to address the issues identified pursuant to paragraph (1), including existing funds that may be reallocated;

(3) Identification of applicable federal, state, and county agencies having jurisdiction to address the issues identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and

(4) A recommended timetable for implementation of the processes developed pursuant to paragraph (2); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii Tourism Authority; Study; Management of Impacts

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	184
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII