MEDIA ADVISORY
KEEP HAWAI‘I HAWAI‘I PLEDGE UP FOR THIRD READING/PASSAGE
AT FULL HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WHAT: Visitor impact mitigation measures
WHEN: Starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020
WHERE: Honolulu Hale, Council Chamber, Third Floor
Councilmember Pine’s “Keep Hawai‘i Hawai‘i” package establishes a pledge, proposed by Hawai’i’s keiki, to be signed by arriving visitors to help protect endangered animals, our indigenous flora and our sacred sites. Bill 51 is up for passage on third reading tomorrow.
Additional legislation to be heard Wednesday would create a “Keep Hawai’i Hawai’i” program for visitors and kama‘aina alike to purchase a pass with discounted rates for popular City attractions and activities. This program would raise revenue for a maintenance user impact fund created by partner legislation, Bill 68. The fund would help pay for maintenance of public parks and beaches, as well as to supplement the budgets of the Emergency Services, Honolulu Police and Honolulu Fire Departments and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Another element of the Keep Hawai‘i Hawai‘i package would expand the City’s Park Ranger program from urban core parks to parks throughout the island.
“My legislative package would generate revenue to help alleviate the impacts that growing visitor numbers are having on O‘ahu,” said Councilmember Pine. “The Transient Accommodations Tax and other fees paid by visitors don’t always wind up paying for the basic City services they use while here. These bills and this resolution will not only offer them and our kama‘aina an affordable way to enjoy City attractions, but will provide funds to offset the cost of some of the visitor-hosting expenses the City incurs.”
Bill 51, FD1, CD2: http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-249860/BILL051(19)%2c%20FD1%2c%20CD2%2001-21-20%20BEDT.pdf
Establishes a “Keep Hawai‘i Hawai‘i — Promise to Our Keiki Pledge” for visitors to the City and County of Honolulu, similar to the “Pono Pledge” campaign of Hawai‘i Island and the “Aloha Pledge” of Kaua‘i, both of which are aimed at promoting visitor awareness and on-island behaviors that are as environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive as possible.
Bill 3: http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-249909/BILL003(20).pdf
Would allow residents and visitors to purchase passes for discounted and priority access to popular O‘ahu attractions, with the City’s portion of the proceeds to be deposited into the Special Impact Fund created by Bill 68.
Bill 68: http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-248996/BILL068(19).pdf
Would create a Special Impact Fund to administer the revenue generated by sales of the passes.
Resolution 19-333: http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-249002/RES19-333.pdf
Expands the current program that provides rangers at urban core public parks and recreational facilities to include all parks, islandwide in order to educate the public on park rules and will deter illegal activity, protect wildlife, the environment, the ocean and park infrastructure and amenities, such as comfort stations.
Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine represents residents of District One (ʻEwa, ʻEwa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko ʻOlina, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Kea‘au, Mākua) and is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Business Economic Development and Tourism.
Media contact:
Erika Engle
Communications Director
Erika Engle
Communications Director
Councilmember Kymberly Pine
Honolulu City Council, District One
Main (808)768-5001 Direct (808)768-5024