STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1611

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 114

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.R. No. 114 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SPONSOR A MICHELIN GUIDE FOR RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants across the State.

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

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has a rich and diverse culinary industry that makes significant contributions to the State's economy. Your Committee further finds that the Michelin Guide does not currently send its inspectors to Hawaii, limiting the potential of local restaurants and depriving them of the economic benefits that come with the award of a Michelin star. This measure supports the introduction of a Michelin Guide for Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting the counties to assist in the financing of the Michelin Guide;

(2) Adding the Mayors of each county to the list of recipients of certified copies of this measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 114, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 114, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair