HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 184 Draft 01 1998-2000 COUNTY OF HAWAII: STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 184 99
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY IN HAWAII
WHEREAS, cruise ship harbors and anchorages in Fiawai`i host tens of thousands of passengers
annually; and
WHEREAS, American Hawaii Cruises carry passengers throughout the islands, and cruise ship operators
such as Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Lines make regular calls at Hawaii ports on
their trans-Pacific voyages; and
WHEREAS, the cruise ship industry currently contributes $4.0 million annually in taxes and fees to the
State of Hawaii general fund; and
WHEREAS, the cruise ship industry provides the state with substantial economic benefits including port
calls, gift purchasing, food and beverage sales, excursions, lodging and other incidentals, along with the purchase
of products and services from local vendors to restock and support operations of cruise ship vessels while in
Hawaii ports; and
WHEREAS, a 1999 study titled The Statewide Cruise Facilities Study commissioned by the Hawaii
Department of Transportation estimated that the cruise industry in Hawaii contributed over $300 million to the
state's economy and provided almost 2,900 jobs in 1998; and
WHEREAS, the direct impact of the cruise industry in Hawaii in and beyond 2004 is projected to be
approximately $675 million with a total impact exceeding $1.5 billion annually, with two-third's of the projected
impact created by expansion of domestic operations by American Hawaii Cruises and the balance derived by a
variety of international cruise ship operators; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Comrercial Harbors ?020 Master Plan issued by the Hawaii Department of
Transportation, Harbors Division, indicates that saturation of the Caribbean market and near peaking of the
Alaskan market have generated increased inquiries for new and additional ship calls to Hawaii ports; and
WHEREAS, the 1998 Visitinglnduslrv Working Group Report developed by the East Hawaii
Governor's Office and the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce estimated that cruise ships docked nearly 100
times in Hilo harbor and delivered 94,738 passengers, foreign and domestic, and approximately 40,000 crew
members for 8-12 hour visits in 1998, generating an estimated economic impact of nearly $11 million; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Commercial Harbors 2020 Masser Plan indicates that although Hawai i otfers
an excellent destination for cruise passengers, cruise ship facilities and other essential maritime infrastructure in
the state are largely lacking; and
WHEREAS, American Hawaii Cruises has recently committed to an $880 million ship construction
contract for two newly dedicated cruise ships to provide inter-island cruises in Hawaii year-round; and
WFIEREAS, the Port of Hilo can only accommodate one cruise ship per day, as the newer generation of
vessels, 800' to 900' in overall length, cannot be berthed at Pier 3; and
WHEREAS, the Hax~ai'i Commercial Harbors 2020 Master Plan, Leo A. Daly Pcz_rsenger Cruise
Facilities Study, first Hawai `i Maritime Conference and statewide harbor tours by Hawaii Maritime Conference
conferees have identited short-term projects and estimated costs to support essential maritime infrastructure in
Hawaii County during the next 1-5 years including (a) Kailua-Kona Pier repair/improvement ($3.8 million) to
immediately address the severe deterioration of this important pier facility administered by the Department of
Land and Natural Resources; (b) Hilo shed removal/renovation and lounge improvements ($3.5 million); and
further identified long-term projects and for passenger cruise facilities in Hawaii County including a new
dedicated cruise ship pier in Hilo ($16.2 million) and Kawaihae cruise ship terminal ($2.5 million); and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii County Council recognizes the economic benefits that domestic and foreign
passenger ships provide throughout the State of Hawaii, as well as the cruise ship industry's potential for
continued growth and contribution to the visitor economy of Hawaii County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
requests the Legislature to enact legislation to support the development of the cruise ship industry in the State of
Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such measures include investments in passenger cruise facilities and
infrastructure improvements in Hawaii County, as well as financing measures therefor; and
BE IT F[NALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this resolution to Norman
Mizuguchi, President of the State Senate; Calvin K. Y. Say, Speaker of the (louse of Representatives; Benjamin
L Cayetano, Governor; Thomas T. Fujikawa, Harbors Administrator, Department of Transportation; Timothy E.
Johns, Chair, Board of band and Natural Resources; and Rene Mansho, President, Hawaii State Association of
Counties.
Dated in Hilo, Hawaii this 5th day of January , 2000.
INTRODUCED BY'
OUNCIL EMBER COUNCIL ME ER
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii Aver Noes Ash Ex
ARAKAKI
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by CHUNG X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL ELARIONOFF g
of [he County of Hawaii on January S, 1999
JACOBSON X
LEITHEAD-TODD X
ATTEST: PISICCHIO
X
SMITH X
L~~~ TYLER X
YAGONG
i 7 ~ z
Rctcrrncc: C-567/HS&EDC- 5
COUNTY CL CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. _ _ -