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Kauai economic director urges single coordinating tourism entity, opposes HB 19-47
Summary
Nalani Bridal, Director of the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, told the joint committee she opposes HB 19-47 because tourism issues cross land, water, infrastructure and public safety and thus need a single coordinating agency; she said DBEDT is already stretched and DLNR's mandate focuses on conservation.
Nalani Bridal, Director of the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, testified on Zoom that she respectfully opposes HB 19-47 and urged lawmakers to retain a single coordinating entity for tourism.
"Tourism issues don't live in 1 agency. They touch land and water, infrastructure, housing, transportation, public safety," Bridal said, adding that coordination among DBEDT, DLNR, counties and the community matters and that DBEDT is already struggling to cover a wide range of economic development priorities. She said DLNR carries "enormous kuleana" for protecting natural and cultural resources and urged the committee to consider those practical coordination needs before altering statutory responsibilities.
