S.B. 65 Summary

• Amends Section 226-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to expand the State's visitor industry objectives and policies to include a regenerative tourism framework focused on Native Hawaiian cultural integrity, environmental protection, and community economic benefits.

• Adds 10 new policy objectives including forming community partnerships to protect Native Hawaiian culture, reducing ecological footprint impacts on beaches and reefs, targeting aligned visitor markets, diversifying the state economy beyond tourism, and ensuring equitable access for people with disabilities.

• Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in coordination with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, to prepare and periodically update the state tourism functional plan to include updated economic goals, the HTA strategic plan, and the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan.

• Directs the Governor to submit an updated state tourism functional plan to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the 2024 regular legislative session.

• Takes effect upon approval.