legislative news – Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association

The Hawai’i Golf Economy – An Economic Impact Analysis

Discover the economic heartbeat of Hawaii’s golf industry!

CLICK to download the Summary Report

We are thrilled to announce the publication of the "Hawai’I Golf Economy 2023 Economic Impact Analysis." This comprehensive report, released by The PGA of America – Aloha Section and Foundation, sheds light on the significant economic contributions of golf to our home islands.

Golf isn't just a sport; it's an integral part of Hawaii's economy, supporting jobs, generating revenue, and driving tourism. Through this analysis, we gain valuable insights into the economic footprint of golf in our state, reaffirming its status as a vital industry.

As stewards of Hawaii's golf courses, it's crucial for us to understand and appreciate the economic impact of our sport. By sharing this report on our website, we aim to inform, educate, and advocate for the continued growth and prosperity of the golf industry in Hawaii.

We encourage all members, stakeholders, and golf enthusiasts to explore the findings of the "Hawai’I Golf Economy 2023 Economic Impact Analysis" and join us in celebrating the economic power of golf in Hawaii.

Together, let's continue to champion Hawaiian Golf and its positive contributions to our communities and economy.

Key highlights from the Economic Impact Analysis include:

Combined financial outlay of $393 Million annual from operational revenue and capital investments.
Over $1 Billion dollars generated in annual golf tourism and golf-related retail spending.
Homes values adjacent to golf courses increase property values by an estimated 32% resulting in real property tax collections in golf course communities amounting $2,695,761.
Direct economic impact of $1.8 Billion and $1.6 Billion from indirect economic impact from core industries bringing the total economic contribution to the Hawai’i economy of $3.4 Billion dollars.

Hawaii Project Meeting with GCSAA

A very brief summary: EPA is responsible for registration and re-registration of pesticide using the “Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act”. There is potential and maybe current litigation by Non-Governmental Organizations against the EPA for not adhering to the “Endangered Species Act.” Hawaii has a large number of endangered species…..golf courses use pesticides. Use, regulation, registration and re-registration of pesticide use on golf courses is up for evaluation.
…Dan Husek

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since we talked to EPA about the Hawaii pilot. They have not rolled anything out yet but it was mentioned yesterday at an IR-4 meeting in Raleigh. I have not heard any more news on the proposed roundtable in Hawaii in October/November. I will let you know when I do.

EPA is dealing with Hawaii separate from the other 49 states. They have rolled out a much more potentially problematic pilot called the Vulnerable Species pilot affecting the 49 states. We have been focused on it the last month. We are working with supers in Milwaukee right now on preparing comments to EPA.

I wanted to bring back to your attention the two data sets that Jennifer Connolly shared with me:

Golf Courses | Hawaii Statewide GIS Program – golf course data layer from State of Hawaii – where golf courses are located

Advancing Transparency of Endangered Species Act Evaluations Through Publicly Available Data | US EPA – endangered species data – where endangered species are – Jennifer said to look at the Layers section in the middle of the page

Ahead of our next discussion with EPA on the Hawaii pilot, would you mind having members of the Hawaii GCSA board take a look at both of these data sets and provide any insight. I am interested to know if the golf courses are being mapped correctly. Dan said things were not accurate around him. Also, I am interested to know what types of endangered species are listed at or near your golf courses.

Also, please have your chapter members sign up for the FIFRA-ESA 101 webinar we are hosting on September 27. The USDA and Bayer and Syngenta are helping us educate the membership on the upcoming ESA challenges and alerting everyone to the proposed pilot projects.

Registration (gotowebinar.com)

Let me know if you have any questions.

Chava

Chava E. McKeel | Director, Government Affairs
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
1421 Research Park Drive | Lawrence, KS 66049

Outcomes from the Chapter Delegates Kansas City Meeting

A few weeks ago I attended the 2018 GCSAA Delegates Meeting in Kansas as your representative and below are the “Outcomes” of that meeting.
. . . Russ

The GCSAA Board of Directors, 2019 board candidates, and 89 delegates representing 91 of GCSAA’s 99 affiliated chapters, convened at the Hilton Kansas City Airport Hotel and GCSAA Headquarters on November 13 – 14, 2018, for the 26th annual Chapter Delegates Meeting. Thirty-six of the delegates were first-time attendees.

Key Outcomes

CPI Dues increase proposal will move forward for a vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Go To Meeting presentations will be scheduled with the delegates to discuss the membership recruitment and retention strategies as they are further refined.
Proposal to add a Friends category to the bylaws will move forward for a vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting.
Proposal to add a Facility Membership category to the bylaws will move forward.
Proposal to add flexibility to the Annual Dues section of the bylaws will move forward.
The Board of Directors will consider the Board Policy Oversight Task Group (BPOTG) recommendations at its Winter Meeting.

CLICK HERE to download a printable version of the
complete report.

HGCSA Legislative News Update – SB3095

Here is a quick update on SB3095 SD1 HD1 CD1 that is about to pass. This bill started out with restricting pesticide spraying within 100 feet of schools and banding chlorpyrifos pesticides. It has changed to having any user of restricted use chemicals to report annual use to the state. CLICK HERE tp view the bill on the state legislature website.

Mandatory Pesticide Disclosure; Pesticide Reporting and Regulation Program; Chlorpyrifos; Pesticide Use Revolving Fund; Pesticide Drift Monitoring Study; Appropriation

Beginning 1/1/2019, requires all users of restricted use pesticides to be subject to a requirement to report on their use of restricted use pesticides to the Department of Agriculture (DOA). Prohibits the use of a restricted use pesticide on or within 100 feet of a school during normal school hours beginning on 1/1/2019. Prohibits the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos as an active ingredient beginning 1/1/2019; provided that the DOA shall grant any person, upon request, a temporary permit allowing the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos through 12/31/2022. Provides for the deposit into the pesticide use revolving fund of all penalties and fines collected under the Hawaii Pesticides Law. Revises the ceiling and use of the pesticide use revolving fund. Requires the DOA to develop a pesticide drift monitoring study no later 7/1/2019. Appropriates general funds for the pesticide drift monitoring study, establishment of two full-time equivalent positions, and outreach and education. (CD1)

HGCSA Legislative News Update

This an a update on what is going on at our HI Legislature session this year. There are a lot of bills that have to do with pesticides and a couple of them deserve watching.

HB 1756 HD1 has to do with the state banning the use and sale of any products with chlorpyrifos in it. This type of bill has been around for a few years. Not sure what will happen this session.
Here is the published submitted testimony from Scott E. Enright Chairperson, Board Of Agriculture for the April 2nd hearing:
Please CLICK HERE to view the testimony.
HB 2722 HD1 is about restricting the use of neonicotinoid and glyphosate products. This one could pass but it did get re-referred back to EEP/AGR committee.
If you read the bill it says use on state/public property and will need a restricted use license.
Please CLICK HERE to view the bill.
HB2721 HD1 is posting public notice before spraying, it also was re-referred back to committee.
Please CLICK HERE to view the committee report.

Please take a look at these bills and any others on the legislation website https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/ and type in pesticides at the keyword line.

If you have any concerns, we are forming a response to these bills, please send them to Mike Atwood at [email protected].

Russell Dooge, CGCS