THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2035 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO REGENERATIVE TOURISM.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 226-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) To achieve the visitor industry objective, it shall be the policy of this State to:
(1) Support and assist
in the promotion of Hawaii's visitor attractions and facilities[.];
(2) Ensure that
visitor industry activities are in keeping with the social, economic, and
physical needs and aspirations of Hawaii's people[.];
(3) Improve the
quality of existing visitor destination areas by utilizing Hawaii's strengths
in science and technology[.];
(4) Encourage
cooperation and coordination between the government and private sectors in
developing and maintaining well-designed, adequately serviced visitor industry
and related developments [which] that are sensitive to
neighboring communities and activities[.];
(5) Develop the
industry in a manner that will continue to provide new job opportunities and
steady employment for Hawaii's people[.], commit to building their
capacity, and offer career opportunities to ultimately increase the percentage of
Hawaii residents in management and leadership positions in the visitor industry;
(6) Provide
opportunities for Hawaii's people to obtain job training and education that
will allow for upward mobility within the visitor industry[.];
(7) Foster a recognition
of the contribution of the visitor industry to Hawaii's economy and the need to
perpetuate the aloha spirit[.];
(8) Foster an
understanding by visitors of the aloha spirit and of the unique and sensitive
character of Hawaii's cultures and values[.];
(9) Form community partnerships
to ensure native Hawaiian cultural integrity by:
(A) Supporting Hawaii's people and communities and their efforts to malama aina (care for the land) and the cultural and natural resources of the aina (land), oceans, streams, and skies;
(B) Strengthening
the relationships between the place and people for kamaaina (Hawaii residents)
and malihini (visitors) alike;
(C) Engaging
in collaborative efforts that provide visitors with genuine and meaningful
experiences in Hawaii;
(D) Ensuring
that kapu (prohibited) and environmentally sensitive contexts are protected
from visitor traffic;
(E) Positioning
local business owners and entrepreneurs in the economic value chain to ensure
more meaningful visitor and resident engagement as well as economic benefit to
local communities; and
(F) Acknowledging
and, where appropriate, protecting native Hawaiian cultural intellectual
property, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions that
contribute to Hawaii's economy;
(10) Apply
innovative financial policies as well as data collection and analysis
mechanisms to incentivize and facilitate a shift to a regenerative visitor
industry that has a smaller ecological footprint by implementing policies such
as decreasing the impacts on beaches, reefs, and ocean life; and that aims to
sustain and improve the quality of life for Hawaii residents by implementing
policies such as decreasing the impacts of vacation rentals, bed and breakfast
operations, and rental cars;
(11) Target markets
that have a high probability of alignment with the goal of cultivating a
regenerative visitor industry;
(12) Actively
support and encourage other economic sectors and clusters to reduce the State's
dependence on tourism to support Hawaii's overall economic prosperity;
(13) Minimize
negative economic, environmental, and social impacts to the State;
(14) Generate
greater economic benefits for Hawaii residents, enhance the well-being of Hawaii's
indigenous communities, and improve the working conditions and access to the visitor
industry;
(15) Involve Hawaii
residents in decisions that affect their lives and life changes;
(16) Make positive
contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage for the maintenance
of Hawaii's diversity;
(17) Provide more
enjoyable experiences and a greater understanding of local cultural, social,
and environmental issues for tourists through more meaningful connections with
Hawaii residents; and
(18) Provide equitable access for individuals with disabilities and sociologically disadvantaged people that is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and residents, and builds pride and confidence in Hawaii."
SECTION 2. (a) Pursuant to section 226-55, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Hawaii tourism authority, in coordination with the office of planning and sustainable development, shall prepare and periodically update the tourism functional plan to include updated tourism economic goals, the Hawaii tourism authority's strategic plan, and the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan.
(b) The governor to submit the state tourism functional plan pursuant to section 226-56, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Objectives and Policies; Visitor Industry; State Tourism Functional Plan; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Office of Planning and Sustainability
Description:
Incorporates a regenerative framework into the State Planning Act by expanding objectives and policies for the visitor industry. Requires an update to the State Tourism Functional Plan to be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.