HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1296

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to Tourism.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that to improve and sustain Hawaii's tourism industry for the 21st century, tourism employees must be properly trained to enhance the visitor experience, honor Hawaii's customs and cultures, respect Hawaii's natural habitat, and act with the Aloha Spirit in accordance with section 5-7.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  The legislature also finds that methods that foster close relationships, proper protocol, and rules of etiquette are important to Hawaii's tourism industry.

     Tourism is the largest single source of private capital into Hawaii's economy.  In 2015, an average of 214,469 visitors per day to the State accounted for more than $41,000,000 in daily spending and supported 170,000 jobs.

     The purpose of this Act is to create the Hawaii tourism task force within the department of business, economic development, and tourism to address the concerns and needs of the Hawaii tourism industry for the 21st century.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism, the Hawaii tourism task force.  The task force shall focus on addressing the concerns and needs of the Hawaii tourism industry for the 21st century.  The task force shall address the following:

     (1)  Recommending the establishment of a no-cost certification program for tour guides to provide instruction on Hawaii's customs, cultures, and history, among other subjects, that may be offered through community colleges;

     (2)  Ensuring that tourists have access to restroom facilities while on tours;

     (3)  Developing public service announcements that explain how the State and local communities benefit from tourism;

     (4)  Promoting tourism that accords with the State's Aloha Spirit law and explaining to tourists the importance of respecting the State's land, water, and communities;

     (5)  Evaluating current and possible future tourist scenic areas;

     (6)  Evaluating tourist areas that require maintenance by the counties, the State, or private business owners;

     (7)  Evaluating the uses of a multi-lingual, pre-recorded audio tour device system to enhance tours and improve visitor flow;

     (8)  Evaluating the implementation of designated pick-up zones in Waikiki to alleviate traffic and ensure an efficient tour for tourists;

     (9)  Promoting stronger working relationships among tourism industry employees, the department of transportation, and state and county personnel;

    (10)  Evaluating Hawaii tourism marketing strategies, including monitoring popular social media sites such as Yelp and other user-generated content sites that publish information on Hawaii tourism to ensure proper and accurate dissemination of information that will help sustain Hawaii tourism;

    (11)  Investigating potential opportunities, including public-private partnerships, for infrastructure repair and maintenance with the department of public safety, Job Corps, churches, service and youth organizations, high school and university students working for class credit, and other volunteers; and

    (12)  Dealing with any additional concerns and needs to improve and enhance Hawaii tourism for the 21st century.

(b)  The Hawaii tourism task force shall meet quarterly at a place and time to be determined by the chair of the task force.  The task force shall be dissolved on July 1, 2019.

(c)  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall provide administrative support, including the recording of minutes, to the Hawaii tourism task force.

(d)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism shall be the chair of the Hawaii tourism task force.  The task force shall include the following members or their designees:

     (1)  The governor;

     (2)  The mayor of the City and County of Honolulu;

     (3)  The president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii tourism authority;

     (4)  The president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii lodging and tourism association;

     (5)  A Hawaiian cultural specialist appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (6)  A Hawaiian cultural specialist appointed by the president of the senate;

     (7)  An individual representing the hotel and tourism industry in Hawaii, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (8)  An individual representing the hotel and tourism industry in Hawaii, appointed by the president of the senate; and

     (9)  A professor from the school of travel industry management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

     The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, and all necessary expenses, including travel expenses, shall be paid by the agency, organization, or department to which the member belongs.  No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force.  The task force shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(e)  The Hawaii tourism task force, in conjunction with the department of business, economic development, and tourism, shall submit a report with findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, if any, on the fulfillment of the Hawaii tourism industry's needs and concerns for the 21st century to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


Report Title:

Hawaii Tourism Task Force

 

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Tourism Task Force to address the needs and concerns of the Hawaii tourism industry for the 21st century.  Report to legislature.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.