HI HR177

Hawaii Tourism Authority requested to help address negative impacts of increased tourism on local communities, including housing costs, traffic congestion, natural resource strain, and infrastructure deterioration.

Authority encouraged to collaborate with stakeholders and affected communities to identify concerns and develop recommendations, with findings and proposals due to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2022 Regular Session.

Annual visitor numbers to Hawaii increased from 4.8 million in 1985 to 10 million in 2019, while per-visitor spending has declined and public attitudes toward tourism have grown increasingly negative.

Authority requested to prioritize increasing visitor spending rather than visitor numbers above 10 million annually until plans are developed to address tourism-related community impacts.

Certified copies to be transmitted to the Governor, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and all county mayors.