STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1055

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 83

S.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.B. No. 83, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish November 28 of each year as Lā Kū‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that every state in the nation celebrates a day that is unique to that state's history. For example, Utah celebrates Pioneer Day in recognition of the day Brigham Young ventured into its territory, and Texas celebrates Texas Independence Day, honoring Texas' independence from Mexico's central government. Your Committee further finds that Lā Kū‘oko‘a, a day recognizing the Kingdom of Hawaii's entrance into the family of nations, was first celebrated under King Kamehameha III in 1847 and remained a national holiday through the early years of the Territory of Hawaii. This measure recognizes the history of Hawaii as an international power in the Pacific through the creation of a special day of observance.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 83, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair