STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1881

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 142

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 142 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO EXPAND THE KĀHEA AIRPORT GREETINGS PROGRAM TO DISPLAY KEIKI ART IN ALL NEIGHBOR ISLAND AIRPORTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the Kahea Airport Greetings Program to display keiki art in all neighbor island airports.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from CARES.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Your Committees find that the primary objective of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's Visitor Experience Initiative is to enhance visitor experience in the State while preserving and promoting Native Hawaiian culture in addition to Hawaii's multi-ethnic cultures and communities. Your Committees further find that one of the critical components of the Visitor Initiative is the Kahea Airport Greetings Program administered by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation that offers free, year‑round Hawaiian entertainment and visitor education at airports across the State, fostering a Hawaiian sense of place. The program also supports young artists in the State by showcasing student artwork at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Your Committees conclude that by urging the expansion of the Kahea Airport Greetings Program to showcase Keiki art in all neighbor island airports, this measure will further enhance the visitor experience and gain deeper appreciation for the unique identities of each island while preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian culture.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Transportation and Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 142, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair