Bill Text: HI SB231 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 231 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Native Hawaiian Culture Resources Inventory Database; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Re-Referred to TSM/HWN, WAM. [SB231 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SB231-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	231
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to native hawaiian culture.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a successful, sustainable tourism industry in Hawaii honors Hawaii's host culture, its people and their history; protects its unique natural environment; and engages local communities. People from all over the world representing many different cultures have made Hawaii their home and have helped to make Hawaii a top visitor destination. However, native Hawaiians and the native Hawaiian culture are what continue to make Hawaii unique and different from other destinations around the world.

In 1997, the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) was founded by George S. Kanahele, Kenneth Brown, and other native Hawaiian professionals to address concerns about how native Hawaiians and Hawaiian culture were perceived and represented in tourism. Since that time, NaHHA, a United States Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) private nonprofit, has advocated for the development and advancement of native Hawaiians in tourism as an investment in Hawaii's future leaders and in the perpetuation of authentic culture in the tourism industry.

NaHHA promotes Hawaiian culture in the tourism industry through consulting and educating, developing and implementing effective communication tools, conducting research, and providing project support and coordination. In doing so, NaHHA has formed alliances with various Hawaiian organizations and nonprofits, artists and cultural practitioners, and with tourism associations, hotels, and private businesses. These alliances have gained NaHHA recognition as the lead private sector organization for the Hawaii tourism authority's Hawaiian culture objectives of the Hawai�i Tourism Strategic Plan: 2005‑2015.

In keeping with this mission, NaHHA completed a two-year train-the-trainer program for twenty-one Hawaiians to provide cultural training and consultation. NaHHA's "Ola Hawai�i, Hawai�i Lives" graduates now offer cultural education for managers and employees and consultation in cultural competency in the workplace.

As these and other initiatives move forward, the need for comprehensive information regarding Hawaii's extensive Hawaiian cultural resources has become more and more critical. While numerous Hawaiian and other organizations and agencies compile and maintain cultural resource information, there is no central database of this valuable information.

The purpose of this Act is to strengthen the knowledge base of Hawaiian cultural resources and the relationship between the State, the visitor industry, and the native Hawaiian community.

SECTION 2. (a) The Hawaii tourism authority shall contract with a United States Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) private nonprofit engaged in promoting Hawaiian culture, for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive Hawaiian cultural resources inventory database. The database shall be online and accessible to the public through the Internet and may include:

(1) Information relating to Hawaiian cultural resources, including publicly available information and cultural programs and activities from private entities or organizations;

(2) Programs and activities with particular relevance to the visitor industry;

(3) Activities promoted by local organizations and community groups to organize native Hawaiians and disseminate information about Hawaiian culture; and

(4) Other relevant information, as appropriate, to strengthen the knowledge base of Hawaiian cultural resources statewide.

(b) The comprehensive Hawaiian cultural resources inventory database shall be developed in consultation with the office of the governor; office of Hawaiian affairs; state foundation on culture and the arts; University of Hawai�i school of travel industry management and Hawaiian studies programs; Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association; Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Ecotourism Association; business organizations; residents; visitors; and other appropriate public agencies and private organizations.

(c) The Hawaii tourism authority shall include information on the comprehensive Hawaiian cultural resources inventory database as part of its annual report to the governor and the legislature, pursuant to section 201B‑16, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive Hawaiian cultural resources inventory database.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii tourism authority for the purposes of this Act; provided that the Hawaii tourism authority shall contract with a United States Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) private nonprofit engaged in promoting Hawaiian culture, to develop and maintain a comprehensive Hawaiian cultural resources inventory database; provided further that no funds shall be made available unless matched dollar-for-dollar by the office of Hawaiian affairs.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Native Hawaiian Culture Resources Inventory Database; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Hawaii tourism authority to contract with a section 501(c)(3) private nonprofit, engaged in promoting Hawaiian culture, to develop and maintain a comprehensive Hawaiian cultural resources inventory database; appropriates funds; requires dollar-for-dollar match by the office of Hawaiian affairs.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.