STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1776

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.C.R. No. 135

S.D. 1

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 Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 135, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE YEAR 2022 BE DESIGNATED AS THE YEAR OF LIMU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Governor to declare the year 2022 as the Year of Limu.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Land Natural Resources, Aloha ‘Aina Party, Malama Pupukea-Waimea, Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Native Hawaiian Education Council, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Kamehameha Schools, Iolani Palace, The Queen's Health Systems, Partners in Development Foundation, Bishop Museum, ‘Aha Punana Leo, and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that limu is a crucial part of a healthy and productive reef and nearshore ecosystem. Your Committee further finds that limu was once the third most important component of the traditional Native Hawaiian diet and played an important role in Native Hawaiian culture, medicine, and religion.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.C.R. No. 135, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Water & Land in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 135, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair