Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 25 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to help perpetuate the Hawaiian culture by recognizing that rural Hawaiian communities or "cultural kipuka" are worthy of all consideration as cultural heritage treasures to the State of Hawaii.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.

There is concern that if these last remaining Hawaiian enclaves are lost, the Hawaiian people will eventually lose their unique language, culture, religion, land base, and livelihood. Moreover, the loss of these enclaves would also threaten Hawaii's "local" culture and way of life.

Your Committee shared concerns regarding the manner in which other rural communities may be recognized as rural enclaves or "cultural kipuka". Accordingly, your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:

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 H.C.R. No. 25, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 25, H.D. 1.