HB 1947 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Summary

Repeals the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Establishes the Office of Tourism within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB1947 → HB1947_HD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures Hawaii's tourism governance by repealing the Hawaii Tourism Authority and replacing it with a new 'Office of Tourism' within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. It also establishes a new 'Division of Destination Management' within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to handle environmental impacts and sustainability. The changes shift the focus from general tourism promotion to a dual strategy of aggressive marketing and active destination stewardship to manage overcrowding and protect natural resources.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of state involvement in tourism by adding a new division under the Department of Land and Natural Resources responsible for managing the physical impacts of tourism, whereas the previous version only created a division under the Department of Land and Natural Resources without explicitly defining its specific duties regarding destination management in the same way.

SCOPE

The standalone Hawaii Tourism Authority is repealed and its functions are transferred to the new Office of Tourism.

A new Division of Destination Management is established within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to manage the physical impacts of tourism and protect natural resources.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'Destination Management' (collaborative process for visitor experience), 'Destination Stewardship' (shared responsibility for sustainability), 'Regenerative Tourism' (creating net benefits for communities), and 'Hawaii Brand'.

REQUIREMENT

The Office of Tourism is now required to develop a strategic plan that includes specific goals for regenerative tourism and improving natural resources, in addition to marketing efforts.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the repeal of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the establishment of the new office was changed from January 1, 2027, to July 1, 3000, while the appropriation section remains effective July 1, 2026.

FISCAL

The specific line items for funding positions were updated to reflect the new organizational structure, replacing 'destination management managers' with 'office of tourism manager' and 'administrative assistants'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Reported from TOU/WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 249-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Poepoe, Woodson; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto, Shimizu, Souza; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on TOU recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Tam, Templo, Hussey, Ilagan, Yamashita; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Gedeon; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Holt.

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to TOU/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 3

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors