HI SR124

Urges the State of Hawaii to consider initiating a sister-state relationship with the Spanish province of the Balearic Islands (Baleares).

Directs the State to conduct exploratory outreach to meet with appropriate leaders representing the Balearic Islands.

Identifies comparable characteristics between Hawaii and Baleares: similar populations (1.4 million vs. 1.2 million), multi-island governance structures, and tourism-dependent economies generating approximately $18 billion annually in each region.

Notes both regions face identical challenges including over-reliance on tourism, affordable housing deficits, environmental degradation, wildfire threats, water supply concerns, and food import dependency.

Highlights that Baleares has implemented policies on quality tourism, short-term rental restrictions, visitor eco-taxes, development restrictions, public transit expansion, and local food production that parallel Hawaii's current policy discussions.