HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0567.001 1998-2000 HAWAII
ISLAND
Economic
Development
Board
aECeivfn
January 5, 2000 tlrne_______._ BY _ Bast Hawau - Hno
Q010~_ ,---'~-!.._--_~,:_'--1- 200 Kancelehua Ave.
Suite 103-281
Chair and Members County Ccwnal Hilo, HI 96720
Ph (608) 966-5416/17
Hawaii County Council Fax (808)966-6792
Wsst Hawall -Kona
The Hawaii Island Economic Development offers testimony in support of 75--573 deral Bltlg.
County of Hawaii Resolution No. 184-99. Kuaklnl H„y uzo7
Kailua-Kona,
HI 96740
Resolution No.184-99 requests the State of Hawau Legislature to fund Ph (608) 329-x713
maritime infrastructure projects to support the development of the cruise ship
industry in Hawaii.
The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board last year organized a Port Task
Force to address this very matter and to work on beautification of our two cruise
ship ports in Hilo and Kailua. We are pleased that we have partnered with several
public and private organizations including Destination Hikr, Destination Kona
Coast, Big Island Visitors Bnrean, State DOT Harbors, State DBEDT, County of
Hawaii R&D, the Governor's Liaisons, the Hawaii and Kona-Kohah? Chambers of
Commerce and the Kona Outdoor Circle. We have obtained $40,000 in a grant from
the Hawaii Tourism Authority for improvement projects on the piers. We are
working with oar legislators and State officials to secure much needed capital
improvement funding and understand that over $3 million has been included in the
Administration budget for the strengthening of Kailua pier. Senator Lorraine
Inouye has called this her highest priority project.
Therefore, it is wonderful to acknowledge the support of the County Council in
obtaining the large sums of money necessary to provide proper infrastructure for
the rapidly growing cruise industry. Our port facilities Iag behind may other areas
of the world who directly compete with ns for cruise ships. We are already
experiencing the cancellation of cruise ship visits due to oar lack of adequate
berthing space.
Oar thanks to Council members Curtis Tyler and Aaron Chung for introducing this
progressive resolution. We hope that we can be of assistance to you in your future
efforts.
Comm. No. 5'P1' ~D~
File No. l-~
Ref. To: ~LC0Uh1C~L
Ref. Date JAN 0 5 2000