THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	117
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

supporting a home for the african american diversity cultural center hawaii.

     WHEREAS, the African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii was founded in October 1997 in Honolulu, Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, the Cultural Center is a nonprofit organization, created to increase awareness and promote a better understanding of the cultural heritage of African Americans in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, the Cultural Center preserves the two hundred year history of African Americans in Hawaii through exhibitions in its museum; and

     WHEREAS, the museum serves to educate the public about the rich culture of African Americans and African American integration over the years into the multicultural communities in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, in addition, the Cultural Center implements educational programs for the local community to encourage intercultural collaboration and cultural diversity; and

     WHEREAS, among other services the Cultural Center offers a literacy program for children who are not reading at grade level, a school cultural enrichment program to acquaint teachers and students with African and African American culture through literature and performing arts, and an African American literary reading group; and

     WHEREAS, the Cultural Center also hosts HIV/AIDS community awareness seminars, cultural events, and an annual Kwanzaa celebration; and

     WHEREAS, the Cultural Center is seeking to acquire a stand alone facility for its museum to showcase African American contributions to the history of Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, the facility would serve as a place to promote educational programs, community events, and performing arts, and would provide a location for community meetings, a library, and an ethnic bistro; and

     WHEREAS, the facility would contribute to bridging the collective gaps in Hawaii's diverse ethnic experience; and

     WHEREAS, the African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii needs community support to make its dreams for a facility to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in Hawaii a reality; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the community is requested to support the African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii in its efforts to locate a facility on state, county, or private lands; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and to the Mayor and the Chairperson of the Council of each county.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii; Facility