STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1731

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 458

H.D. 2

S.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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 458, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROTHER JOSEPH DUTTON DAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate April 27 of every year as Brother Joseph Dutton Day.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Joseph Dutton Guild, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the history of Kalaupapa has seen a strong resurgence after generations of disinterest and neglect. Beginning in the Kingdom of Hawaii, Kalaupapa served as a colony for Hansen's Disease patients who were exiled to live out the remainder of their lives. Courageous volunteers, such as Brother Joseph Dutton, risked their own lives to bring comfort and care to the population of Kalaupapa.

Your Committee further finds that Brother Joseph Dutton served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Following the War, Joseph Dutton spent more than a year disinterring six thousand Union soldiers for reburial in national cemeteries. Joseph Dutton also experienced traumatic life events that led to alcoholism, which he termed as his "degenerate decade". After learning about the work of Father Damien, Joseph Dutton went to Kalaupapa in 1886 to offer the remainder of his life in service to the patients. Joseph Dutton served in various roles, culminating as manager of the Baldwin Home for Boys. In 1931, Joseph Dutton passed away after forty-four years of service to the patients of Kalaupapa.

As the history of Kalaupapa remains a significant story of the State's history, honoring both the patients and caregivers of Kalaupapa will ensure future generations learn of this critical piece of history. Therefore, this measure honors Brother Joseph Dutton for his commitment, sacrifice, and dedication to the people of Kalaupapa.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of April 27, 2843, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 458, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 458, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair