Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 62 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to support the people of Kiribati in their efforts to address war reparations for the damage and suffering inflicted upon them during World War II.

The Association of Pacific Island Legislatures supported this measure.

Your Committee finds that the Republic of Kiribati, formerly known as the Gilbert Islands, was unfortunately caught between two powerful nations, the United States and Japan, that were waging a fearsome war. Your Committee recognizes that the people of Kiribati were not aggressors or agitators in the conflict, which killed many Kiribati and destroyed many of their homes. The gruesome battle of Tarawa is illustrative of the losses suffered by the Kiribati people that have not been addressed.

Your Committee notes that the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures passed a similar resolution in December 2004.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 62 and recommends its adoption.