THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

162

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

strongly encouraging the Governor to create a Cruise Ship Industry Task force TO RESEARCH AND ANALYZE POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND TO BALANCE ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS in hawaii.

 

 

WHEREAS, cruise ship visitors, projected to increase from 160,000 in 2001 to 250,000 arrivals in 2002, will travel to the Hawaiian Islands to experience their signature cultural and unique natural resources; and

WHEREAS, the anticipated expansion in cruise ship arrivals will benefit Hawaii's economy significantly as a result of increased visitor spending and creation of local business and employment opportunities; and

WHEREAS, nationwide, there are concerns about the effects of increased cruise ship traffic on the health of the environment and many view a direct relationship between the magnitude of Hawaii's visitor industry and the protection of Hawaii's unique natural resources; and

WHEREAS, the welfare of both the State's unique natural resources and its tourism industry is a priority for both the State as well as the cruise ship industry, and thus it is necessary to strike a balance among economic, cultural, social, and environmental interests to insure the sustainability of Hawaii's fragile ecology as well as its tourism industry; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Planning has held informal task force meetings with interested and affected public and private entities and representatives of the cruise ship industry to:

(1) Discuss concerns and issues regarding potential cruise ship impacts;

(2) Evaluate and analyze existing laws specific to the regulation of the cruise ship industry to ascertain potential statutory and regulatory gaps;

(3) Based on these gaps, determine the best approach for Hawaii to pursue, with respect to possible legislation, a memorandum of understanding, or a compromise between the cruise ship industry and the State, as protector of the environment; and

(4) Create partnerships aimed at an amicable resolution to potential cruise ship issues and concerns;

and

WHEREAS, this informal task force process has been advantageous in establishing an open dialogue with respect to potential cruise ship impact issues and concerns and a commitment has been expressed by all involved parties to amicably resolve these issues and concerns; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor is strongly encouraged to create a Cruise Ship Industry Task Force, utilizing available resources in state government, including funding as may be appropriated, to:

(1) Provide an open forum for effective dialogue regarding cruise ship issues and concerns;

(2) Assess, analyze, and evaluate existing laws specific to cruise ship industry regulations and determine potential statutory and regulatory gaps;

(3) Based on the assessment and evaluation of potential legal gaps, determine the most appropriate course of action for the State to pursue with respect to possible legislation, a memorandum of understanding, or a compromise between the cruise ship industry and the State, as protector of the environment; and

(4) Develop partnerships with interested parties to work together to amicably resolve potential cruise ship issues and concerns;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is strongly urged to appoint to the Cruise Ship Industry Task Force:

(1) The Directors or Chief Executive Officers of the:

(A) Office of Planning;

(B) Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;

(C) Department of Health;

(D) Department of Land and Natural Resources;

(E) Department of the Attorney General; and

(F) Office of Hawaiian Affairs;

(2) Public members representing the:

(A) Maritime industry;

(B) Chamber of Commerce;

(C) Environmental protection groups;

(D) Hawaiian community; and

(E) Tourism industry;

(3) A representative of the United States Coast Guard Pacific Area Office,

and to invite and recognize designated representatives of the International Council of Cruise Lines as members of the Cruise Ship Industry Task Force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is strongly urged to designate the:

(1) Office of Planning as the lead agency for the administration of the Cruise Ship Industry Task Force; and

(2) Director of the Office of Planning as the chairperson;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Cruise Ship Industry Task Force is requested to submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the 2003 Regular Session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Directors of the Office of Planning; Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Health; the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Attorney General; the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the United States Coast Guard Pacific Area Office, the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the President of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the President of the International Council of Cruise Lines.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Cruise Industry Task Force; Environment