STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1399

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.R. No. 59

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Tourism and Culture and Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 59 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO FORM A TASK FORCE TO RESEARCH AND COLLECT INPUT FROM LOCAL TOUR OPERATORS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, RELATIVE TO CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE DEFINITION OF ECOTOURISM AND DEVELOPING STANDARDS AND OPERATING GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ECOTOURISM PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to request the Governor to form a task force to research and collect input relating to:

(1) The creation of a clear, comprehensive definition of "ecotourism"; and

(2) The development of standards and operating guidelines for the implementation of an ecotourism program.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources and a concerned individual submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the intent of this measure. The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) offered comments.

Your Committees have amended this resolution by:

(1) Emphasizing the importance of preserving Hawaii's land and resources in the development of the ecotourism industry because of their traditional, cultural, spiritual, medicinal, and other significance to native Hawaiians and the general public;

(2) Stating the principles of The International Ecotourism Society which guide the best development and practices of the ecotourism industry;

(3) Including in the task force a representative from HTA, the School of Travel Industry Management of the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Ecotourism Association; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Tourism and Culture and Energy and Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 59, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 59, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Tourism and Culture and Energy and Environmental Protection,

 

____________________________

HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair

____________________________

JERRY L. CHANG, Chair