STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1956-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.C.R. No. 208

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Tourism & Culture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 208, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING, ACKNOWLEDGING, AND EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE OF KALAUPAPA AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR THEIR GREAT SACRIFICES AND HARDSHIPS AS A RESULT OF THEIR FORCED ISOLATION, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS BELIEVED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH, AND APOLOGIZING TO THE PEOPLE OF KALAUPAPA AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR ANY HARSH RESTRICTIONS THAT CAUSED THEM UNDUE PAIN AS THE RESULT OF FORMER GOVERNMENT POLICIES SURROUNDING LEPROSY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to recognize, acknowledge, and express gratitude to the people of Kalaupapa and their families for making great sacrifices and enduring much hardship as a result of their forced isolation, for rebuilding their lives with pride and dignity, for overcoming prejudice and discrimination, and for consistently reaching out to others in need.  This measure also expresses regret for past actions against, and treatment of, past and current residents of Kalaupapa.

     The Senator representing the Sixth Senatorial District, Department of Health, Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa, Kawaihapai Ohana, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism & Culture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 208, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism & Culture,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair