Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 63 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to adopt an official state tartan.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii and the designer of the tartan. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the intent of the measure with reservations.

Your Committee finds that one of the most important symbols of Scottish and Irish culture is the tartan, which signifies a common bond between people. Your Committee also finds that Hawaii has a strong and flourishing Scottish and Irish heritage which has been ever-present since the early days of the monarchy. Today, these communities are embodied in their many local organizations and institutions including the Hawaii Handweavers Hui, the Caledonian Society of Hawaii, the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii, the Scottish Country Dancers Association, Hawaii Thistle Pipe Band, the St. Andrews Society, the Scottish Association, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the Celtic Catholic Church, the Khanate of the Golden Horde, the Society for Creative Anachronism, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Clan Na Gael, and others.

In 1997, the Hawaii Handweavers Hui, in association with the Caledonian Society, conducted a public plebiscite at the state Highland Games on selecting a tartan for Hawaii. At the plebiscite, a design prepared by Douglas Herring received overwhelming support by the public. The winning tartan reflects the colors of Hawaii: blue for its oceans and skies, green for its forests and landscapes, brown for the 'aina, the life-giving soil, and red and yellow for its royal legacy and fiery origins.

Your Committee further finds that what makes tartans unique are their proprietary thread counts. In this case, the thread count for the tartan designed by Douglas Herring is: B/8 (blue), R4 (red), Y4 (yellow), B48 (blue), T16 (brown/tan), G40 (green), Y4 (yellow), and R/6 (red).

According to testimony submitted to your Committee, many states including Washington, Texas, Maine, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and the United States itself have all adopted tartans for their citizenry.

Your Committee believes that the adoption of an official state tartan transcends its historical roots and would serve as the embodiment of a unified community within the State of Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended the measure by substantially recasting its body to:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 63, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Education, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 63, S.D. 1.