STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1621

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 158

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism and International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 158, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE HAWAII SISTER STATE COMMITTEE TO APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND THE STATE OF DAKHLA OF THE REGION OF OUED ED-DAHAB-LAGOUIRA OF THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Governor to approve the establishment of a sister-state relationship between Hawaii and the State of Dakhla of the Region of Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira of the Kingdom of Morocco.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Muslim Association of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that the State of Dakhla of the Region of Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira of the Kingdom of Morocco, like Hawaii, is a tourist destination known for its great weather and ideal conditions for surfing, fishing, diving, and other outdoor water sports.  Your Committee further finds that a relationship between Hawaii and Dakhla will be highly beneficial in expanding tourism, strengthening cultural bonds, and advancing common goals of international peace and brotherhood.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting language requesting the Governor to approve the establishment of a sister-state relationship;

     (2)  Inserting language requesting that the Hawaii Sister-State Committee evaluate and develop recommendations for the initiation of a sister-state relationship with the State of Dakhla of the Region of Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira of the Kingdom of Morocco and forward its recommendation to the Legislature, pursuant to section 229-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (3)  Amending the title to reflect the amended purpose; and

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

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 158, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 158, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism and International Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

GILBERT KAHELE, Chair