STAND. COM. REP. NO 611

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1363

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1363 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE INSTRUMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate the official ‘auana and kahiko musical instruments of the State in accordance with the results of the November 2014 WeVoteHawaii election in an effort to enthusiastically support Hawaii's keiki in voting and the democratic process.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the ‘ukulele and pahu are vibrant components of Hawaiian culture.  The music of Hawaii, as expressed through these instruments, is readily recognizable around the world.  The kahiko (traditional) pahu and the ‘auana (modern) ‘ukulele are well-suited to serve as Hawaii's state instruments.

Your Committee further finds that Hawaii's students recognized the ‘ukulele and pahu as representative of Hawaiian culture by voting for them in the WeVoteHawaii online election.  WeVoteHawaii is a hands-on civic education opportunity that teaches students about voting and democracy.  The movement of this measure, born from the WeVoteHawaii election results, will further instruct students on democracy and the legislative process.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1363 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair