STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1917-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 145

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 145, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING STAKEHOLDERS TO UPDATE THE EAST-WEST CENTER STUDY TITLED "HAWAII AS AN EAST-WEST BRIDGE: A SURVEY OF THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NON-TOURIST INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN HAWAII","

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the appropriate stakeholders to update the East-West Center study titled "Hawaii as an East-West Bridge: A Survey of the Economic Value of Non-Tourist International Activities in Hawaii".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the East-West Center. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that the East-West Center conducted a study in 1990 titled "Hawaii as an East-West Bridge: A Survey of the Economic Value of Non-Tourist International Activities in Hawaii" to measure the value of non-tourist international activities in Hawaii and demonstrate such activities' significance to the state economy. Your Committee further finds that updating this study will enable the State to adapt to emerging trends, engage in new opportunities, and address evolving challenges, helping to ensure Hawaii's resilience and economic competitiveness in the global arena.

Your Committee notes that in written testimony the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism states that the estimated cost to conduct the study is between $60,000 to $75,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 145, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

DANIEL HOLT, Chair