STAND. COM. REP. NO. 417

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 116

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 116 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CULTURE AND THE ARTS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Hawaii Tourism Authority to support traditional Hawaiian arts and cultural activities and to require a portion of Tourism Special Fund monies to be used for this purpose.  The intent of this measure is to ensure that the promotion of traditional Hawaiian pre-contact cultural activities, including traditional Hawaiian music, dance, and arts and crafts, remains a priority of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

     Your Committees find that this is a critical measure because it impacts the image of Hawaii and how Hawaii is marketed to and perceived by the rest of the world.  Your Committees acknowledge that the Hawaii Tourism Authority has a strong obligation to ensure that traditional Hawaiian culture, which is the foundation of the State, remains at the forefront of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's marketing plan.  Your Committees further find that, because many tourists choose to visit Hawaii for its unique cultural perspective, the Hawaii Tourism Authority should convey a clear understanding and image of Hawaiian culture through its promotional and marketing strategies.

 

     Your Committees heard testimony that expressed concerns regarding the measure's requirement that the Hawaii Tourism Authority designate a fixed amount of money each year to the promotion of Hawaiian pre-contact arts and cultural activities.  The testimony suggested that this requirement would restrict the Hawaii Tourism Authority's policymaking authority at times when funds are limited.  Testimony suggested that the Hawaii Tourism Authority should instead be given the discretion to determine the way it allocates resources based on the availability of funding. Your Committees understand these concerns but remain in strong agreement that the Hawaii Tourism Authority must take a proactive approach at setting the values, goals, and direction needed to promote Hawaiian culture. 

 

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Hawaii Tourism Authority to balance its marketing and promotional activities with the need for the promotion and integration of native Hawaiian cultural initiatives;

 

     (2)  Adding language clarifying that the promotion of cultural activities refers to native Hawaiian culture; and

 

     (3)  Eliminating the requirement that a portion of Tourism Special Fund monies be used by the Hawaii Tourism Authority for the promotion of traditional Hawaiian pre‑contact arts and cultural activities.   

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 116, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 116, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. 

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

 

 

____________________________

BRICKWOOD GALUTERIA, Chair