HI HCR49

Urges Hawaii's Executive Branch to pursue Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification as a Certified Sustainable Destination and mandate third-party sustainability certification for hotels, transient accommodations, and tour operators.

Calls for minimizing expansion of tourist accommodations until sustainable practices are adopted and effectively enforced to reduce stress on residents, infrastructure, and the environment.

Acknowledges that Hawaii's current tourism industry is not culturally, environmentally, or economically sustainable and must urgently adopt enforceable sustainable practices.

Emphasizes that sustainability in Hawaii must involve restoring and preserving Native Hawaiian ancestral land, rights, and practices, and that tourism must stop exploiting Native Hawaiian cultural and natural resources.

Requests certified copies be transmitted to UN Tourism, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Governor, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and other state officials and tourism organizations.