HI HR69

Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in cooperation with the Mayor of Honolulu, is requested to convene a state-city task force to identify and secure a site for building floats, storing materials, and setting up displays for parades and major celebratory events.

Task force shall comprise state and City and County of Honolulu officials necessary to identify and plan for securing such a site, with participation from parade and celebratory event planners as needed to determine site characteristics.

Director must report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the 2012 Regular Session with the task force's findings, recommendations, and progress in identifying and securing a suitable location.

Resolution addresses the economic benefits of parades (2005 Honolulu Festival brought 6,000 visitors and nearly $13 million to the economy) and the urgent need for a permanent, free or low-cost storage facility for parade materials currently deteriorating in Matson containers at Pier 1.

Certified copies of the resolution shall be transmitted to relevant state and city agencies and to parade organizer Nelson Fujio.