A comprehensive statewide sports and entertainment authority would be created to oversee facilities and attract events under similar bills introduced in the state Legislature.
“Right now there is not a coordinated effort and I think we’re letting things fall through the cracks.”
Rep. Scott Nishimoto (D, Kapahulu-McCully)
Introduced House Bill No. 1847, which would create a statewide sports authority
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Senate Bill 2216, introduced by Senate President Ron Kouchi (D, Kauai, Niihau), and House Bill No. 1847, introduced by Rep. Scott Nishimoto (D, Kapahulu-McCully), would abolish the Aloha Stadium Authority and transfer responsibility for the stadium and Kapolei Recreational Sports Complex to an appointed, unpaid 11-member sports authority and a salaried coordinator.
The proposals cite the Ironman, Honolulu Marathon, Pro Bowl and Sony Open “as types of events that draw visitors and local residents and provide revenues to the state as well as community enhancements through sponsorships and donations.”
The bills say the Legislature believes “the state also needs to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that (the state) can sustain these successful events and not lose them to other destinations.”
Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui said, “The legislators obviously see some of the importance of having a dedicated entity to really help promote and enhance our sports industry.”
Nishimoto said, “Right now there is not a coordinated effort and I think we’re letting things fall through the cracks. If we had a coordinated effort we could do much better. These events are huge economic drivers in our state, but we can get more.”
Tsutsui said, “Unfortunately when many of these events want to deal with the state there are many different groups that they feel they need to meet with here, different mayoral or gubernatorial administrations, so it makes it very difficult. If they have a point person to go to in the end we all win.”
Under the bill, a portion of the revenues from the hotel tax would fund the new authority, with $10 million earmarked for the authority’s special fund.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is also funded from the hotel tax and George D. Szigeti, HTA president and CEO, said in a statement, “HTA’s mission is to support tourism, our state’s largest and most important industry, by marketing the Hawaiian Islands to travelers worldwide. Hawaii faces stiff competition from global destinations. Any new legislation that would reduce HTA’s funding would be counterproductive to Hawaii’s tourism marketing efforts.”
Charles Toguchi, chairman of the Aloha Stadium Authority, said, “the Stadium Authority has not taken a position on the bills.”
