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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3218 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to hawaiian recognition day.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that every state in the United States celebrates holidays unique to that state's history. Texas celebrates its own Texas Independence Day, a day honoring Texas' independence from Mexico's central government. Utah celebrates Pioneer Day, the day Brigham Young arrived in Utah's Great Salt Lake Valley. Alaska celebrates Seward's Day to recognize the day that the purchase treaty between the United States and Russia was codified. The distinctive cultural and storied past of Hawaii has its own holidays that have been celebrated through the Territory of Hawaii period of Hawaii's history. La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Recognition Day, was widely celebrated with pride as Hawaii became an emerging power in the Pacific among the global powers of that time.
The history and culture of Hawaii are showcased around the world to tell the story of the archipelago. Hawaii's culture and native language are used to make areas, buildings, and communities relevant with a sense of place. La Kuokoa has long been a source of pride in Hawaii and in recent years has garnered a newfound energy in its celebration.
The legislature further finds that during the reign of Kamehameha III, Great Britain and France recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii by joint proclamation on November 28, 1843. The United States followed on July 6, 1844. These leading world powers recognized Hawaii as an independent nation state due to the diplomatic work of Timoteo Haalilio, the first diplomat of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and his associate William Richards, who were sent as envoys of Kamehameha III to secure formal diplomatic relations with these countries.
Throughout the 1850s and 1870s, Hawaii celebrated
La Kuokoa with luau, music, and marches. The celebration grew under the reign of King
Kalakaua, with formal proclamations sent by official circular to the foreign
diplomatic corps in Hawaii and the Kingdom of Hawaii consuls abroad, informing
them of the holiday.
The day remained a national holiday under
the Provisional Government of Hawaii, the Republic of Hawaii, and the initial
years of the Territory of Hawaii. La
Kuokoa was among the codified list of national holidays enacted by the Republic
of Hawaii in 1896.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish
November 28 of each year as La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Recognition Day, to celebrate
the historical recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
SECTION 2. Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§8- La Kuokoa; Hawaiian Recognition Day. November 28 of each year shall be known and designated as La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Recognition Day, to celebrate the historical recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii. This day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
La Kuokoa; Hawaiian Recognition Day
Description:
Designates November 28 of each year as La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Recognition Day, to celebrate the historical recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.