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HCR 188

REQUESTING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH AN AGRICULTURAL TOURISM WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE EXISTING LAWS AND ORDINANCES RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF AGRICULTURAL TOURISM IN HAWAII.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kirstin Kahaloa and 4 co-sponsors

Hawaii requests its Tourism Authority examine and recommend changes to laws restricting agricultural tourism to boost rural farm-based tourism revenue and economic diversification.

Referred to EDT/AEN.
#agriculturaltourism #hta #report #workinggroup
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Bill Summary · HCR 188

Legislative bill overview

HCR 188 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Tourism Authority to form a working group that will review existing laws and regulations affecting agricultural tourism operations in Hawaii. The working group would then provide recommendations to the legislature on how to remove barriers and encourage growth in this sector.

Why is this important

Agricultural tourism—farm visits, agritourism experiences, farm stays—represents a potential economic diversification opportunity for Hawaii beyond traditional resort-based tourism. These activities can generate rural income, support local farming communities, and distribute tourism revenue beyond concentrated resort areas, while potentially reducing pressure on over-touristed regions.

Potential points of contention

  • Land use conflicts: Agricultural land has competing demands (food security, conservation, development), and expanding tourism uses may conflict with farming operations or environmental goals
  • Regulatory burden: Current restrictions on agricultural tourism may exist for legitimate reasons (liability, environmental protection, labor standards); loosening them could create unintended consequences
  • Community impact: Increased tourism in rural/agricultural areas could bring traffic, infrastructure strain, and cultural disruption to communities that haven't experienced mass tourism

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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