Hawaii Senate Bill SB575

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/21
• Refer: 1/27/21

Caption

Relating To The Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Impact

The bill reflects a significant shift in how the Hawaii Tourism Authority will approach its mission by incorporating more voices from the Native Hawaiian community. This is expected to foster a deeper respect for Hawaiian culture in tourism-related decisions and policies. By mandating the inclusion of two culturally-informed board members, the bill seeks to make tourism development more sensitive to community values and practices, reinforcing cultural preservation during economic recovery efforts.

Summary

Senate Bill 575 aims to amend the composition of the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors by requiring that at least two members possess knowledge, experience, and expertise in Hawaiian cultural practices. This legislative change is positioned as a response to the opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic for reevaluating Hawaii's branding and tourism strategy. The intent is to ensure that Native Hawaiian perspectives are more adequately represented in tourism policymaking, thereby enhancing the alignment of tourism practices with cultural values.

Contention

However, some potential points of contention may arise regarding the selection process for these board members, especially concerning who qualifies as possessing the requisite expertise in Hawaiian cultural practices. There could be differing opinions on the best methods to evaluate qualifications and experiences, as well as concerns about whether this new requirement may lead to tensions among board members representing various interests in the tourism industry. Nevertheless, the overall intention of enhancing cultural representation appears to align with broader goals of engaging diverse community perspectives in shaping Hawaii's future.