Expands the powers and duties of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to include perpetuating the uniqueness of the native Hawaiian culture and community and the importance of the native Hawaiian culture and community to the quality of the visitor experience by ensuring that native Hawaiian culture is accurately portrayed by the visitor industry; the Hawaiian language is supported and normalized by the visitor industry; cultural practitioners and cultural sites that give value to Hawaii’s heritage are supported; and a native Hawaiian cultural education and training program is provided for the visitor industry workforce having direct contact with visitors.

SB 170, introduced by Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria, has passed the Senate and has a joint House hearing Monday (March 18 — today).

The HTA and the state Department of Transportation support the measure.

Said HTA President CEO Mike McCartney, “The Native Hawaiian practice of ho‘okipa, of greeting and welcoming strangers, is a deeply embedded part of what makes a Hawaiian visitor unique. It is important that we preserve the dignity and cultural features of our host culture, celebrate the place that is Hawai‘i, and preserve those attributes that makes us unique.” 

Photo courtesy jdnx.

—Chad Blair