Report Title:

Culture and the Arts; Hawaiian Culture and Arts Policy Adoption

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the economic viability of Hawaii's tourism is heavily dependent on the Hawaiian culture, through media such as music, dance, and art; and

WHEREAS, the culture of the indigenous people is unique and of critical importance in differentiating Hawaii from all other sand and sea visitor destinations; and

WHEREAS, tourism promotions have relied upon Hawaiian culture and arts as the number one marketing tool and basis for perpetuating the aloha spirit, which is so vital to the economic success of the industry; and

WHEREAS, support for Hawaiian culture and arts has been lacking in the various sectors of private and publicly financed tourism; and

WHEREAS, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was established to promote, preserve, and perpetuate arts and cultural activities within the State; and

WHEREAS, barring the establishment of a totally new public agency to promote, preserve, and perpetuate Hawaiian arts and cultural activities, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts seems to be the ideal entity to serve as the lead agency to champion the proliferation and understanding of Hawaiian arts and cultural practices; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is requested to establish a formal policy on supporting Native Hawaiian culture and arts that will focus on the perpetuation and promotion of Native Hawaiian culture and arts for the benefit of visitors and residents alike; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts report on its actions regarding the establishment of an official policy on supporting Native Hawaiian culture and arts to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2002 Regular Session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.