STAND. COM. REP. NO. 636

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1233

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1233, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii School of Travel Industry Management to conduct a study that establishes estimates of the tourism social carrying capacities for each of the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai, considering the perspective of residents and visitors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and one individual.

Your Committee finds that tourism social carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of tourists that can be present at a destination without significantly undermining local residents' quality of life and tourists' enjoyment of the destination. Understanding capacity limits for each island is an important element of destination management. While Lanai and Molokai are less populated than the other islands in this measure, their tourism social carrying capacity may be lower and have a greater impact on their islands.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Including Lanai and Molokai in the study assessing the tourism social carrying capacity for each island;

(2) Changing the reporting requirement to an unspecified date;

(3) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $150,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1233, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1233, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair