HI SCR132

Requests University of Hawaii at Manoa and Hawaii Tourism Authority to conduct an exploratory study on Hawaii's potential as a climatotherapy tourism destination for atopic disease patients from East Asia.

Study must assess economic benefits, determine the size of the East Asian market for climatotherapy services, and examine cultural factors and needs for establishing this market in Hawaii.

Study must identify Hawaii enterprises that can provide climatotherapy services and evaluate potential business and health industry needs arising from this market promotion.

Requires written findings and policy recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2012 Regular Session convenes.

Notes that atopic disease prevalence is affected by urbanization and geography, with Hawaii's clean air, light humidity, and remote location identified by Japanese physicians as beneficial for symptom relief.