STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1278

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 410

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 410, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2027.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Koʻolauloa Hawaiian Civic Club, Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club, Ohana Unity Party, and twenty-six individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is the constitutionally established body responsible for protecting and promoting the rights of Native Hawaiians in the State. Among its statutory duties, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is required to serve as the principal public agency in the State responsible for the performance, development, and coordination of programs and activities relating to Native Hawaiians; assess the policies and practices of other agencies impacting Native Hawaiians; and conduct advocacy efforts for Native Hawaiians. In fulfillment of these duties, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs requests general fund appropriations for each fiscal biennium to fund the Office's biennium budget as necessary to ensure the continued provision of high-quality services to its beneficiaries. This measure appropriates funds to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for operating expenses and to accelerate implementation of Mana i Mauli Ola, the fifteen-year strategic plan to advance the well-being of Office of Hawaiian Affairs beneficiaries.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 410, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair