Report Title:

State Cultural Public Market

Description:

Promotes cultural awareness, education, and diversity of the Hawaiian culture and that of other ethnic groups throughout the islands through the establishment of a permanent venue for the vendors and artists to showcase their products and their talents.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1721

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to a state cultural public Market.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that unlike anywhere else in the United States, Hawaii's population is comprised of a multitude of ethnic groups and cultures. Hawaii serves as a melting pot of many different cultures that happily co-exist and commingle to form a richly diverse environment that makes Hawaii unique. Such diversity is apparent in the wide variety of ethnic foods, clothing, artworks and crafts, and entertainment available throughout the State. Cultural diversity is also evident in the many cultural festivals held throughout the year that allow residents and visitors alike to experience the tastes, sights, and sounds of different ethnic groups.

Although this cultural diversity can be experienced on a daily basis in Hawaii, we lack a single venue to which an individual can go in order to experience and learn more about the host Hawaiian culture as well as the many different cultures that make up the people of our islands. In order to promote cultural awareness as well as economic development within the State, we must capitalize on the rich diversity of the peoples of the many different cultures within Hawaii. Across the nation, cities, including Seattle, Washington; Portland, Maine; Los Angeles, California; and New York City, New York, have experienced great economic success as a result of the establishment of local public or farmer's markets. The creation of new business opportunities for Hawaii entrepreneurs, including those for local farmers and locally owned businesses, will help to spur growth in our local economy.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a permanent cultural public market within the city and county of Honolulu, State of Hawaii, on state-owned land within the Kakaako Makai area. The cultural public market will provide a venue for the exposure, education, and awareness of the host Hawaiian culture and the many ethnic groups present within the State through the sale of ethnic foods, produce, and products, the exhibition and sale of cultural artworks and crafts, the showcasing of artists and entertainers, and the presentation of information on the culture and history of the various ethnic groups in Hawaii.

SECTION 2. (a) There shall be established within the Hawaii community development authority a permanent state cultural public market.

(b) The cultural public market shall be located on at least ten acres of state land within the Kakaako Makai area and developed pursuant to sections 206E-31 through 206E-33, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Included within the ten acres shall be a public parking lot that shall be run by the State.

(c) The Hawaii community development authority shall:

(1) Designate and develop the state-owned land for the public market;

(2) Accept, for consideration, input regarding the establishment of the cultural public market from the following departments or agencies:

(A) The department of agriculture;

(B) The department of business, economic development, and tourism;

(C) The department of land and natural resources;

(D) The department of labor and industrial relations; and

(E) The Hawaii tourism authority;

(3) Consider and determine the propriety of utilizing public-private partnerships in the development and operation of the cultural public market;

(4) Develop, distribute, and accept requests for proposals from private entities for plans to develop and operate the cultural public market; and

(5) Ensure that the Hawaiian culture is the featured culture in the cultural public market.

(d) Requests for proposals for the cultural public market shall contemplate but not be limited to the inclusion of the following types of facilities and services:

(1) Retail outlets for ethnically diverse products;

(2) Venues for businesses with ethnic themes, including restaurants and other service-related businesses;

(3) Theaters, stages, and arenas designed to showcase cultural performing artists, as well as community performing arts;

(4) Exhibition space or museums that showcase artwork created by international and local artists; and

(5) Museums or other educational facilities focusing on the history and cultures of the various ethnic groups within Hawaii, including Hawaiian history.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the establishment of a state cultural public market.

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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