House Committee on Tourism advances measure to form Native Hawaiian economic working group, will study gaming

The House Committee on Tourism voted to advance House Concurrent Resolution 192, HD1, recommending creation of a Native Hawaiian economic development working group and directing the group to study the definition of gaming among other economic opportunities.

The amendment approved by the committee adds seats for a representative from the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, a representative from the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and a representative from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and asks the working group to “study the definition of gaming and look at all options to spur economic opportunity,” according to the committee discussion.

Why it matters: supporters said the working group would center Native Hawaiian leadership in shaping economic strategy and could help correct long-standing economic exclusion, while opponents warned that including gaming risks social harms and may not produce net new tourism revenue.

Testimony and debate Proponents, including leaders from Nation of Hawaii organizations and other Native Hawaiian advocates, told the committee Native Hawaiians should lead development of policies affecting their lands and communities. Brandon Makawava, vice president of the Nation of Hawaii, said, “We’re against corporations controlling that destination for us,” and urged the committee to pass the measure with Native Hawaiians leading the effort.

John Kealoha Garcia, second vice president and minister of commerce for the Nation of Hawaii, described attending an industry conference as evidence that indigenous-led economic development can work: “This gathering is a powerful reminder of what indigenous led economic development can look like when it's rooted in sovereignty, supported by policy and backed by community,” he said.

Pohunua “Bumpy” Kanahhele, president of the Nation of Hawaii, invoked federal law in support of the measure, saying, “The U.S. Public Law 103-150 was clear,” and described the resolution as a step toward restitution and self-determination.

Opponents urged removal of gaming from the scope of study. A representative of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney told the committee they opposed including gambling in the working group’s scope: “Native Hawaiians have gotten the short end of the stick for forever, but please not gambling,” the prosecutor said, adding concerns about problem gambling and local cannibalization of spending. The prosecutor said sports betting, delivered by mobile apps, is particularly risky because it can put “a casino in [people’s] hand in the privacy of their living room.”

Committee action and amendments At the meeting’s decision session the committee recommended passing HCR 192 HD1 with amendments to add the three named organizational representatives and to revise the resolved language to study the definition of gaming and other economic pathways. The recommendation was adopted by voice vote; Chair Tam and Vice Chair Tamplo and Representatives Holt, Hussey, Todd and Matsumoto voted aye; Representative Illegon was excused. The committee recorded the recommendation as “pass with amendments.”

What the action does and does not do The committee's vote advances the resolution to the next legislative stage with the stated amendments and does not itself legalize gambling or create new law. The resolution, as amended, directs formation of a working group to study opportunities and report findings or recommendations; any statutory or regulatory changes would require subsequent separate legislative or administrative action.

Next steps The resolution will move forward from the Committee on Tourism with the committee’s recommendation to pass as amended. The working group's membership, timeline, deliverables and any future bills that might implement recommendations were not specified in the hearing and would be determined later if the resolution is adopted by the full House and any implementing language is developed.