STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1164

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.R. No. 115

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 115 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MEKIA KEALAKAI'S BIRTHDAY OF OCTOBER 15 AS ROYAL HAWAIIAN TROUBADOURS DAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize Mekia Kealakai's birthday of October 15 as Royal Hawaiian Troubadours Day.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that Mekia Kealakai was part of the wave of Hawaiian string bands in the early twentieth century, known as the Royal Hawaiian Troubadour generation, that travelled and performed on the world fairs, chautauquas, and vaudeville circuits and raised international awareness and recognition of Hawaiian culture and music. Your Committee further finds that the style of music performed by the Hawaiian string bands heavily influenced what is now considered quintessentially American music, and the innovation in guitar design pioneered by Mekia Kealakai had long‑lasting impacts on music icons from Elvis Presley to Bob Marley. This measure celebrates the contributions to the musical arts of the Hawaiian Troubadour Generation through the recognition of October 15, 2021, as Royal Hawaiian Troubadours Day.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 115 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs,

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CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair