STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1622

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.C.R. No. 189

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR, AND URGING THE INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC REPATRIATION OF, NATIVE HAWAIIAN ART, CULTURAL ITEMS, AND IWI KUPUNA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support and urge the international and domestic repatriation of Native Hawaiian art, cultural items, and iwi kupuna.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Kawaihapai Ohana, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the black-market trade of historic and cultural items constitutes one of the most persistent illegal trades in the world. Your Committee further finds that Native Hawaiian art, cultural items, iwi kupuna, and other historic artifacts, including the approximately five thousand items determined to be missing from lolani Palace, have been subject to illegal theft and transfer out of the State. This measure seeks to address the loss of these important historical and cultural items by urging the international and domestic repatriation of these items.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair