HI HCR101

Strongly urges the City and County of Honolulu to amend the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu to make commencement exercises a first-priority use at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

Requires the Department of Enterprise Services to give commencement exercises precedence over other events at the facility, preventing displacement of scheduled graduation ceremonies for higher-revenue events.

Notes that section 28-9.3 of current ordinances allows the Department to displace nonprofit organizations' contracted events to accommodate more financially beneficial events, which has caused scheduling conflicts.

References that in 2018 alone, commencement exercises from 14 public and private schools and one university were held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, a 22.4-acre cultural and community hub.

Directs transmission of certified copies to the Mayor, Honolulu City Council Chairperson, and Director of the Department of Enterprise Services.