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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP SUBONTOUR 1981/07/01 1980-1984 . • • REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON TOURISM . July 1, 1981 Chairman and Members Committee on Economic Development Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii Your Subcommittee on Tourism submits for approval, the following report: Comm. 222: WORKSHOP ON TOURISM • From Legislative Assistant Robert Shioji dated April 1, 1981 transmitting for consideration, the Reports of the three group leaders who conducted the group sessions at the March 20, 1981 Workshop on Tourism, which was sponsored by the Committee on Economic Development; recommends the reports of the three group leaders who conducted the group sessions at the March 20 Workshop on Tourism be accepted. Comm. 222. 2: From Legislative Assistant Robert Shioji dated June 19, 1981 submitting brief descriptions of the most significant recommendations in each report and their potential impact on the visitor industry. Informs these should be considered separately and, if necessary, referred to the appropriate government or private agencies for comments and/or action; recommends the following: VISITOR INDUSTRY GROUP REPORT 1. Central agency representing tourist industry for the Big Island. Item No. 1 be deferred pending study on rcommended central agency representing tourist industry for the Big -Island. ' (Legislative Assistant to prepare a report on HIVIA - its history, purpose., objectives, accomplishments, and failures - so that it can be used as a guide for any future organization of the Big Island tourist industry. ) • • Committee on Economic Development Page 2 July 1, 1981 2. Increasing advertising budget for Big Island through government and/or private industry. (See action on Item No. 1. ) 3. Aloha Spirit. Visitor Awareness. (Educate islanders of the importance of the visitor industry. ) Inasmuch as the three Big Island Chambers of Commerce will be undertaking a Visitor Appreciation Program, recommends that Item No. 3 be referred to the Chambers for a report on their program. 4. Concentrate on small conventions and sporting events such as Kona triathlon, Hilo marathon and church groups, senior groups , etc. tr Item No. 4 be referred to the administration for a report on what they are doing to attract small conventions to the Big Island. 5. Change attitude of travel agents. (See action on Item No. 1. ) 6. Hilo as the home of the hula and Kona as the home of the luau. The Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Tourism, in coordination with the administration, be given the authority to start negotiations with: (1) Mrs. Dorothy Thompson to hire her on a contractual basis for three months to coordinate the activities with the hula studios and help the hotels in their negotiations with the halaus; and (2) Technicolor to sponsor a weekly hula show at Coconut Island and Hale Halawai. VISITOR SATISFACTION GROUP 1. Education of Visitor In.dustt.y" and retail sales people of what the Big Island has to offer. Item No. 1 be deferred until after the Visitor Appreciation Program has taken place. 2. I.D. for Banyan Drive Trees. Item No. 2 be referred to the administration for action. • I I Committee on Economic Development Page 3 July 1, 1981 3. Ask police to show some leniency for visitors. Suggest to Police Chief that tourists be given courtesy warnings on first offense rather than traffic citations as many of them are not familiar with traffic laws on the Big Island. V 4. Suggest to hotels to consider ethnic programs/menus. Item No. 4 be referred to the Restaurant Association and Hawaii Hotel Association for their consideration.. 5. Better informational/directional signs along County and State highways. Item No. 5 be deferred pending study on HIVIA. (Refer to the study of a recommended central agency to identify specific areas where the signs should be placed. ). 6. Expand radio/press notices to include the visitors. . Item No. 6 be referred to the radio stations, newspapers, and Hawaii Visitors Bureau for their comments. 7. Multi-cultural programs on regular basis, possibly using Coconut Island. Item No. 7 be deferred pending results of Item No. 6 under Visitor Industry Group Report. 8. Mini-Bus Tours with Ranger guides at the Volcanoes National Park. Item No. 8 be referred to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for their comments. V COUNTY INVOLVEMENT GROUP REPORT 1. The Big Island continues to suffer from an identification problem. Item No. 1 be deferred pending study on HIVIA. (Refer to the study of a recommended central agency to come up with solutions on the identification problem of the Big Island. There is a need to identify where in the State of Hawaii the Big Island exists; perhaps the designing of a logo could be considered. ) 411 Committee on Economic Development Page 4 July 1, 1981 2. Better maintenance and improvement of public areas would be helpful to the industry. Item No. 2 be referred to the Subcommittee on Beautification. 3. Stimulation of an island-wide comprehensive beautification program. Item No. 3 be referred to the Subcommittee on Beautification. 4. Big Island needs convention facilities. Item No. 4 be referred to the Committee on Economic Development for consideration. 5 . Beef-up public safety programs. Item No. 5 be filed. (See Comm. 366 from Deputy Chief of Police) 6. Provide better support for the Merrie Monarch Festival -- both with regard to facilities and promotion. Item No. 6 be filed. ($48 ,500 appropriated in Ordinance 699 for Hoolulu Multi-Purpose Stadium Bleachers. ) 7. Build a small beach with a couple of palm trees so that visitors would have a place to go in Hilo to lay on the sand. Item No. 7 be referred to the Parks & Recreation Department and the Army Corps of Engineers for comments. "O • • • HELENS H. HALE, CHAIRWOMAN OMIO FUJII, MEMBER / iirij W ' 'PAM S. 7WAHARA, 4EMBER Sr NCER '`. SCHUTTE , MEMBER