HCR 118: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SPONSOR A MICHELIN GUIDE FOR RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE STATE.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SPONSOR A MICHELIN GUIDE FOR RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, the Michelin Guide for restaurants, with its star‑based evaluations, has become a world standard; and

     WHEREAS, since publishing its first American guide to New York City in 2005, Michelin has released guides for Atlanta, California, Colorado, Chicago, Florida, and Washington, D.C.; and

     WHEREAS, the State's culinary scene has been rapidly evolving, attracting multiple Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants and becoming a destination for foodies; and

     WHEREAS, the Michelin Guide, however, does not send its inspectors to Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, a 2022 Visitor Industry Workforce Needs Assessment by the Hawaii Tourism Authority identified culinary staff as among the most in-demand and difficult-to-fill positions in Hawaii's workforce; and

     WHEREAS, the award of one or more Michelin stars can offer a steady supply of diners, eager sous chefs, and endless publicity for a chef or restaurant, and having a Michelin star to strive for can increase restaurant standards; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants across the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the counties are requested to assist in the financing of the Michelin Guide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Mayors of each county.

Report Title: 

Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Tourism; Restaurants; Michelin Guide

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of business, economic development, and tourism to sponsor a michelin guide for restaurants across the state.

     WHEREAS, the Michelin Guide for restaurants, with its star‑based evaluations, has become a world standard; and

     WHEREAS, since publishing its first American guide to New York City in 2005, Michelin has released guides for Atlanta; California; Colorado; Chicago; Florida; and Washington, D.C.; and

     WHEREAS, the State's culinary scene has been rapidly evolving, attracting multiple Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants and becoming a destination for foodies; and

     WHEREAS, the Michelin Guide, however, does not send its inspectors to Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, a 2022 Visitor Industry Workforce Needs Assessment by the Hawaii Tourism Authority identified culinary staff as among the most in-demand and difficult-to-fill positions in Hawaii's workforce; and

     WHEREAS, the award of one or more Michelin stars can offer a steady supply of diners, eager sous chefs, and endless publicity for a chef or restaurant, and having a Michelin star to strive for can increase restaurant standards; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants across the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Report Title: 

Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Tourism; Restaurants; Michelin Guide

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1612

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 118

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 118 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SPONSOR A MICHELIN GUIDE FOR RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants across the State.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii has a rich and diverse culinary industry that makes significant contributions to the State's economy.  Your Committee further finds that the Michelin Guide does not currently send its inspectors to Hawaii, limiting the potential of local restaurants and depriving them of the economic benefits that come with the award of a Michelin star.  This measure supports the introduction of a Michelin Guide for Hawaii.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requesting the counties to assist in the financing of the Michelin Guide;

     (2)  Adding the Mayors of each county to the list of recipients of certified copies of this measure; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 118, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 118, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,