HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	47
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the Hawaii Tourism Authority to add a stipulation to its signature event program to require thirty percent of funds awarded through the program to be used to market events to out-of-state markets.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Tourism Authority's Signature Event Program provides funding that supports major events that showcase Hawaii's unique culture and advance the State's tourism objectives; and

 

     WHEREAS, among the events supported by the Signature Event Program in 2025 were the 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival, Hawai i Food and Wine Festival, Hawai i International Film Festival, 53rd Honolulu Marathon, and Hoops in Hawaii Classic; and

 

     WHEREAS, these events typically have broad national and international appeal and can attract visitors and enhance the State's reputation as a premier destination; and

 

     WHEREAS, under the Signature Events Program's program structure, grantees are not required to dedicate a portion of awarded funds toward marketing their events to out‑of‑state markets, and may instead use grant funds primarily for operational or local purposes; and

 

     WHEREAS, requiring that a portion of funds awarded under the Signature Event Program be used for out-of-state marketing will help ensure that publicly funded events actively contribute to increasing visitor demand and strengthening Hawaii's visitor industry; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is urged to add a stipulation to its Signature Event Program to require thirty percent of funds awarded through the program to be used to market events to out-of-state markets; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

HTA; Signature Event Program Grants; Out-of-State Marketing