HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	227
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

recognizing traditional hawaiian tattooing as an art form.

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians are recognized as the indigenous people of the Hawaiian archipelago; and

     WHEREAS, the practice of Hawaiian tattooing, or kākau, predates western contact; and

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians refined this practice over many centuries; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Hawaiian tattooing was done without the use of modern tools or electricity; and

     WHEREAS, the traditional practice held great spiritual and cultural significance in the Hawaiian archipelago for the Native Hawaiian people; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Hawaiian tattooing was common among both maka`ainānā and ali`i; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Hawaiian tattooing allowed for the preservation of an individual's genealogy, geography, and trade; and

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians today continue to practice this traditional custom; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Native Hawaiian tattoo artists who continue the practice currently still undergo many years of training to develop the skills to practice this custom with traditional tools and methods; and

     WHEREAS, recognition as a traditional Native Hawaiian tattoo artist can only be bestowed upon an individual by a master artist; and

     WHEREAS, many Native Hawaiians today continue to receive tattoos in the traditional method as a way of recognizing their culture and Hawaiian ancestors; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Hawaiian tattooing today continues to serve as a cultural expression of an individual's genealogy and trade; and

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians today continue to receive tattoos in the traditional method for their spiritual and cultural significance; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Native Hawaiian tattoo artists constantly work to practice and refine their art; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is committed to supporting art and culture in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Polynesian tattooing, which includes traditional Hawaiian tattooing, is recognized as an art form throughout the Pacific and the world; and

     WHEREAS, traditional Hawaiian tattoos have been featured in exhibits at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the Bishop Museum; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that this body recognizes traditional Hawaiian tattooing as an art form; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Native Hawaiian Tattooing; Art Form