STAND. COM. REP. NO. 491-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 1780
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No.
1780 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CONVENTION CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to allow the Convention Center
Authority (CCA) to continue its work by extending:

     (1)  The sunset date of the CCA; and

     (2)  The deadline for the State Auditor to audit and monitor
          the progress made by CCA in resolving various
          outstanding issues and problems.

     The CCA Board Chair, Vice Chair, and member, and the Hawaii
Hotel Association testified in support of the measure.  The
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the
Waikiki Area Action Association, the Ala Moana Residents Advisory
Council, and two individuals testified in opposition to this
measure.  Comments were submitted by the Visitor Industry
Coalition and others.

     Your Committee believes that operating a facility as labor-
intensive as the Hawaii Convention Center (Center) requires staff
who are experienced and knowledgeable about its operations.  With
its expertise and experience in the development and operations of
the Center, the CCA is in the best position to ensure that the

 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 491-00
                                 Page 2

 
facility is operating at its optimum level and is able to address
current and future concerns of the surrounding community.

     Upon consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by
repealing the sunset date of CCA.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Tourism that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
1780, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second
Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1780, H.D. 1, and
be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Tourism,



                                   ______________________________
                                   JERRY L. CHANG, Chair