STAND. COM. REP. NO. 31

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 307

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 307 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPECIAL NUMBER PLATES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of special number plates to recognize restoration and preservation efforts on Kahoʻolawe Island by the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, and other community members.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission; Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that January 4, 2026, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first successful landing on Kahoʻolawe by nine courageous individuals, known as the "Kahoʻolawe 9", in support of Native Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination, initiating an island wide movement to "Stop the Bombing" and the United States' military use of the island of Kahoʻolawe. In subsequent years, the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana and Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission were formed and worked with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to undertake the stewardship of the island to restore vital cultural practices and preserve Kahoʻolawe's natural ecosystem. Your Committee finds it appropriate to honor Kahoʻolawe with a special name plate to support the ongoing efforts of restoration and preservation of the land and culture.

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 that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 307, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 307, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair