THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

148

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO COLLABORATE WITH UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE TO CONVENE THE HAWAII CREATIVE INNOVATION GROUP.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State's cultural creatives, fabric and fashion designers, graphic artists, musicians, songwriters, and performing artists are intrinsic to the identity of the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the fashion and music industries in the State contribute to economic growth, job creation, cultural preservation, and tourism development, and the State's diverse ecosystem of artists, venues, recording studios, and educational institutions strengthens the State's cultural identity and enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike; and

 

     WHEREAS, programs, events, and organizations, including but not limited to the Governor's Fashion Awards, the Creative Lab Hawaii Fashion Immersive Program, Puuhonua Society's Aupuni Space, and Manaola's Hale Kua business accelerator, are barometers for the emerging design, fashion, and accessories industries; and

 

     WHEREAS, the success stories of music programs, accelerators, and projects, including but not limited to:

 

     (1)  The Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Creative Lab Hawaii Music Immersive Program, which has eighty feature placements in film, television, advertising, and streaming;

 

     (2)  The Music Entertainment Learning Experience (MELE) program at Honolulu Community College; and

 

     (3)  The University of Hawaii Academy of Creative Media System's work on the Hawaiian language project for Moana;

 

are examples of the opportunities that exist in the intersection between music and media for the State's artists; and

 

     WHEREAS, fashion and design education programs in the University of Hawaii System, specifically at Honolulu Community College, provide the training necessary to advance creative entrepreneurs in these industry sectors; and

 

     WHEREAS, music education and business programs such as MELE educate island residents, including high school seniors and college students, on sound recording, music mixing, songwriting, artist management, audio post-production for film and television, and the new technologies used to record and distribute music; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State's intent is to provide new product development support from early-stage trials to commercialization by establishing the infrastructure, network of programs providing expert advice, and facilities that have equipment of various scales specifically tailored to the fashion and music industry sectors of the creative economy; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to collaborate with universities in the State to convene the Hawaii Creative Innovation Group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Creative Innovation Group is requested to include members from the public and private sectors to:

 

     (1)  Identify pathways and synergies from middle and high school programs to career opportunities; and

     (2)  Identify the facilities, equipment, and workforce development programs required to support the State's fashion and music industries; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Creative Innovation Group is requested to identify key partners to develop a strategy by which the State can grow emerging creative sectors into new brands, music placement, music sectors, companies, and value-added businesses in design, fashion, and technology; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that to scale-up and expand the fashion, design, and music industries, the Hawaii Creative Innovation Group is requested to outline investments required for innovation facilities, programs, and incentives, including but not limited to:

 

     (1)  Access to resources and expertise through education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development training;

 

     (2)  Infrastructure and equipment for businesses and entrepreneurs in these sectors to scale up;

 

     (3)  Access to funding and capital;

 

     (4)  Export assistance that will be part of a network of state facilities that produce products labeled "Made in Hawaii" or "Produced in Hawaii" in the fashion, design, and music industries; and

 

     (5)  Incentives and policies in support of the State's fashion, design, and music industries; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Creative Innovation Group is requested to submit a report describing the progress made and its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Creative Innovation Group; Report; Film; Media; Creative; Industry