STAND. COM. REP. NO. 744

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 83

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Government Operations and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 83, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate November 28 of each year as La Ku‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, which shall not constitute a state holiday.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that Hawaii's special heritage and the various holidays currently celebrated distinguishes Hawaii from other states. La Ku‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, commemorates that during the reign of Kamehameha III, Great Britain and France recognized the independence of the Hawaiian Kingdom by joint proclamation on November 28, 1843. The United States followed on July 6, 1844. The first official celebration of La Ku‘oko‘a occurred in 1847. Acknowledging La Ku‘oko‘a, or Hawaiian Recognition Day, is an appropriate and meaningful way to recognize and celebrate the culture and history of Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Government Operations and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 83, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Government Operations and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ SHARON MORIWAKI, Chair