STAND. COM. REP. NO. 533

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1376

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1376 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII LABOR HERITAGE COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds as a grant to the Hawaii Labor Heritage Council to fund the production of a documentary film on the life of Ah Quon McElrath.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu Center for Labor Education and Research; Hawai‘i Labor Heritage Council; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 50; ILWU Memorial Association; ILWU Local 142; Machinists Union Hawaii Federal and Amalgamated IAM; Filipina Advocacy Network; Labor Education Advisory Council; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ah Quon McElrath played a major role in the labor movement to end oppressive labor practices and bring economic and social justice to Hawaii. Born in Iwilei to Chinese immigrants, Ah Quon McElrath graduated from the University of Hawaii and spent her career advocating for workers by pushing for equal pay and treatment from the Big Five in Hawaii. She continued her advocacy after her retirement, fighting to end poverty for women's rights and welfare reform. Your Committee finds that production of a documentary film on the life of Ah Quon McElrath would be a tribute to her legacy.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1376 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts,

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BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair