STAND. COM. REP. NO.  575

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 1297

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1297 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to legalize the practice of traditional Hawaiian-style burials by providing that preparation of a corpse for burial in a manner consistent with Hawaiian cultural customs and practices is not a violation of the penal code.

The Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Ko‘olau Foundation, and Ho‘okipa Network, Kauai, supported this measure.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies supported the intent of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1297 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair