STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1212

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 27

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology, to which was referred S.R. No. 27 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a management audit of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, Island Air, and Hawaii Government Employees Association.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and five individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is an important and vital contributor to, and supporter of, the State's top industry.  Since its inception, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has been the State's largest single source of public funding for marketing and promotion to help diversify and sustain the industry.  The Hawaii Tourism Authority also has access to and expenditure of significant amounts of state funds; as a result, Hawaii legislators provide helpful oversight over the Hawaii Tourism Authority's spending and activities.  Thus, your Committee further finds that a management audit of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and a report of findings will help the Legislature encourage prudent management of state resources and better support the vital tourism industry in the State.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 27 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair