HI HCR59

Urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority to coordinate with the hospitality industry, Corporation for Travel Promotion, and Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to amend H-1B visa law to allow employment of workers with cultural and language skills for international visitors.

Requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to seek amendments to the H-1B non-immigrant visa law to expand the definition of "specialty occupation" to include foreign workers with specialized knowledge in reading, writing, and speaking at an honorific level.

Notes that Hawaii's tourism industry represents approximately 21 percent of the state's gross domestic product and that emerging Asian markets (China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore) have increased by 16.5 percent.

Recognizes that creating a welcoming environment for international visitors requires a hospitality workforce fluent in visitors' languages and knowledgeable about their cultures and customs, which current H-1B visa restrictions do not permit.

Directs certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Governor, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Corporation for Travel Promotion, and Hawaii's congressional delegation.