Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred S.R. No. 54 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize the importance of a cultural exchange between the people of Hawai`i and the Island of Ra`iatea, and to request Ke Ala `Olino Native Cultural Center to convene a task force to help facilitate a cultural exchange.

The Mayor of the Village of Taputapuatea and Ke Ala `Olino Native Cultural Center submitted testimony in support of this measure.

A letter dated January 26, 2006, from Senator J. Kalani English to the Mayor of the Village of Taputapuatea, Thomas Moutame, was also submitted.

It is believed that the Polynesians who discovered and settled Hawai`i embarked from Ra`iatea and named the new land after their ancient home. Ra`iatea is considered the foundation of Polynesia’s spiritual culture and has many important archaeological sites, including the Taputapuatea Marae. Your Committees find that the people of Hawaii can celebrate their common Polynesian ancestry with the people of Ra`iatea through a cultural exchange between the two communities. This measure requests Ke Ala `Olino Native Cultural Center to convene a task force to help facilitate a cultural exchange.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Media, Arts, Science, and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 54 and recommend its adoption.