REPORT TITLE:
King Kalakaua Day


DESCRIPTION:
Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to create King Kalakaua Day.
(SD1)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 1                                                     3182
                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        

 

RELATING TO HOLIDAYS. 


BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  One of the great figures of Hawaiian history,
 
 2 King Kalakaua, has gone largely unrecognized despite his many
 
 3 accomplishments and contributions to the people of Hawaii.  King
 
 4 Kalakaua was an innovator who, in addition to creating the
 
 5 department of education, invented a modern day submarine forty-
 
 6 five years before it was first used in World War I, and invented
 
 7 a telescopic range finder.
 
 8      King Kalakaua was also an author and patron of the arts.  In
 
 9 addition to writing the kingdom's hymn, "Hawai'i Pono'i", which
 
10 is now the state song, and a book, "Legends and Myths of Hawaii",
 
11 the King also lifted the ban of dancing the hula, encouraging
 
12 Hawaiians to take pride in their cultural heritage.
 
13      King Kalakaua was the first reigning monarch to travel
 
14 around the world, strengthening relations, both diplomatic and
 
15 personal, with countries and rulers in Asia, Africa, Europe, and
 
16 the United States.
 
17      Upon meeting Thomas Alva Edison, King Kalakaua was
 
18 instrumental in obtaining electrical lights for Honolulu, years
 
19 before electric lights were installed at the White House in
 
20 Washington, D.C.
 
21      King Kalakaua also directed the planning of 'Iolani palace,
 
22 which today remains the only royal palace in the United States.
 
23      The purpose of this Act is to designate a day as "King
 
24 Kalakaua Day" in remembrance of the diplomat, innovator, and
 
25 patron of the arts and his contributions to the people of Hawaii,
 
26 which are still appreciated today.
 
27      SECTION 2.  Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended 
 
28 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
29 read as follows:
 
30      "§8-    King Kalakaua Day.  November 16, of each year shall
 
31 be known and designated "King Kalakaua Day", in recognition of
 
32 the contributions and accomplishments of King Kalakaua; provided
 
33 that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state
 
34 holiday."
 
35      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
36      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.