THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

40

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM, AND THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT A CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY.

 

WHEREAS, tourism is the dominant economic activity in the state; and

WHEREAS, tourists are attracted to Hawaii because of the natural and cultural assets and because of the significant public and private investment in infrastructure, hotels, businesses, and visitor-related amenities; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the positive attributes and economic benefits of the tourist industry; and

WHEREAS, the tourist industry in Hawaii has seen healthy growth throughout the state in the last year; and

WHEREAS, this growth within the tourist industry has put added strain on many of the communities in the state; and

WHEREAS, this significant growth in tourism has strained the infrastructure in many small communities throughout the state by adding additional traffic and tourism-related demand in communities ill-equipped to deal with such issues; and

WHEREAS, the residents of these communities have expressed serious frustration over the increased burden on their local infrastructure and the effects that the tourism has on the previously quiet residential neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, this increase in tourism has created commercialization of residential neighborhoods, public parks, and beaches; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority is respectfully requested to conduct a carrying capacity study to determine the maximum capacity for tourists in the state of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this carrying capacity study will be conducted as 25 separate studies to be divided among the current 25 Hawaii State Senatorial districts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the purpose of this carrying capacity study is to determine the maximum visitors that each of the 25 Senatorial districts is able to sustain with regard to visitor lodging and accommodations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that once the carrying capacity study has been completed, the Hawaii Tourism Authority is encouraged to use the findings to better direct its funds relating to the promotion and marketing of tourism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority report its findings to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and Chairperson and members of the board of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

 

 

 

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Report Title:

Tourism; Hawaii; Carrying Capacity Study