The Honolulu City Council held a special budget briefing on March 8, 2025, focusing on the future of concession contracts and the development of a strategic tourism plan for Oahu. Key discussions centered on enhancing the authority of the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) to manage concessions more effectively and the potential for a coordinated approach to tourism that benefits local communities.

During the meeting, officials highlighted a new initiative allowing DES to prioritize and manage a list of concessions independently, which could range from four to fifteen contracts. This change aims to improve the quality of concession offerings and attract better operators by providing them with longer contract durations, potentially extending up to ten years. The goal is to ensure that concessionaires see a significant return on their investment, addressing previous concerns about the viability of bids due to insufficient contract lengths.

Additionally, the council discussed the need for a strategic tourism plan, as Oahu is currently the only county in Hawaii without one. A resolution was introduced to involve the director of enterprise services in this planning process, emphasizing the importance of maximizing tourism revenue while also considering the impact on local communities. The council expressed a desire for an interagency approach to tourism management, ensuring that efforts do not compete with existing organizations like the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among council members to explore innovative revenue-generating opportunities without increasing taxes. The discussions will continue as the resolution moves to the full council for consideration on March 19, 2025.