STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1173-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 541

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 541, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate January 17 of each year as Reconciliation Day to commemorate the memory of Queen Liliuokalani and the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies and one individual.

Your Committee finds that on January 17, 1893, the Hawaiian monarchy and its sovereign monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, were illegally overthrown. Your Committee believes that it is necessary to recognize and remember this historic date to ensure that future generations are aware of the injustices faced by the Hawaiian people.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 541, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 541, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair