STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1303

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 153

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and International Affairs and the Arts, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 153 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ISSUE A PROCLAMATION TO DESIGNATE JANUARY 2018 TO JANUARY 2019 AS THE YEAR OF THE HAWAIIAN AND REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND TO THE LEGISLATURE A PLAN TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE HAWAIIAN,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Governor to issue a proclamation to designate January 2018 to January 2019 as the Year of the Hawaiian, and to request the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to study and recommend to the Legislature a plan to celebrate the Year of the Hawaiian.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Native Hawaiian Education Council, Kamehameha Schools, and two individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies.

     Your Committees find that Native Hawaiians have a demonstrated history of independent thought, the ability to think critically, and the facility to express themselves effectively through a number of public venues, media, and forums to challenge existing norms, policies, and rules consistent with the growing renaissance, rebirth, and rise in their understanding and knowledge of Native Hawaiian history, Native Hawaiian culture, Native Hawaiian traditions, and Native Hawaiian values.

     Your Committees further find that Native Hawaiians have actively engaged and consulted with local, state, federal, and international governmental and non-governmental entities and agencies to define, develop, and pursue goals, policies, and positions consistent with Native Hawaiian culture, traditions, and values in an effort to increase the social, economic, health, and educational well-being, self-determination, and quest for justice for Native Hawaiians.

     Your Committees further find that Native Hawaiians have raised the consciousness throughout Hawai‘i of the importance of practicing Aloha ‘Āina, or loving, caring, respecting, and honoring the precious and fragile lands, seas, and climate of Hawai‘i Pae‘Āina, which has led to significant policies and programs to protect the sustainability of Hawai‘i's natural resources.

     Your Committees further find that the list of Native Hawaiians who have achieved high proficiency and excellence in their fields of endeavor is too long to mention, is continually growing, and includes fields and disciplines of music, sports, the arts, filmmaking, hula, writing, literature, academics, medicine, law, history, social work, teaching, politics, business, science, Native Hawaiian culture and traditions, and Native Hawaiian language restoration and revitalization.  After the explosion of Native Hawaiian accomplishment and achievement grounded in the language, culture, history, and traditions of Native Hawaiians over the past 30 years, it is now time to pause, celebrate, and commemorate all that has been achieved with the hope and intention of inspiring future generations of Native Hawaiians.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Delaying the Year of the Hawaiian to June 1, 2018, to June 1, 2019, to give the Office of Hawaiian Affairs more time to prepare;

     (2)  Amending its title accordingly; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and International Affairs and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 153, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 153, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and International Affairs and the Arts,

________________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair

________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair