HR302.DOC

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives respects the proud history of the native Hawaiian people, recognizes the struggles and hardships they have faced, and takes great pleasure and pride in honoring their achievements; and

WHEREAS, one of the most deeply-instilled core values in Hawaiian culture is the understanding of and love for the ‘aina, or land, and the challenges native Hawaiians have faced throughout our State's history to maintain homelands to which they have an exclusive right have been daunting; and

WHEREAS, after a struggle lasting more than a decade, Hawaiian Prince and United States Congressman, Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole successfully facilitated the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, which established a permanent land base for the benefit and use of native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, due to the relentless efforts of revered Hawaiians like Thomas Maunupau Sr. and Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, the PAPAKOLEA HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD, comprised of the neighborhoods of Papakolea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine Streamside, was recognized on May 16, 1934, as one of the State's first Hawaiian Homelands under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, the PAPAKOLEA HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD has served as a rare and special place where native Hawaiians are encouraged to sustain and perpetuate their culture, and this unique character has made Papakolea the home for some of Hawaii's most prominent citizens, including musical icons Genoa Keawe and Danny Kaleikini; and

WHEREAS, Papakolea community leaders have founded several noteworthy organizations, including the Papakolea Community Association, Kula no na Po'e Hawai'i, the Papakolea Community Development Corporation, Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, and Kalawahine Streamside Association, that currently serve for the betterment of Papakolea residents with a focus on family, unity, and aloha; and

WHEREAS, the struggle to establish, maintain, and improve this early Hawaiian Homestead for the past 75 years mirrors the struggle of all native Hawaiians to improve their rights and their quality of life across the State, and serves to prove to the people that positive changes are possible when a community comes together to heal and rebuild; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that this body hereby recognizes and commends the PAPAKOLEA HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD for its 75-year commitment to the betterment of native Hawaiians, and extends its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in continuing their close –knit community for generations of families to come.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

		_____________________________

Report Title:

PAPAKOLEA HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD'S 75^TH ANNIVERSARY

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	302
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII