STAND. COM. REP. NO. 624-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2475

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2475, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish July 31 of each year as La Hoihoi Ea.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that La Hoihoi Ea, also known as Restoration Day, was the first national holiday in the Hawaiian Kingdom. Celebrated on July 31, La Hoihoi Ea marked the restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom's government after the British ambassador and a British Navy captain illegally seized control. Establishing July 31 of each year as La Hoihoi Ea would highlight the historical and cultural accomplishments of the past and provide an opportunity to honor upstanding members of the Hawaiian community.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2475, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair