STAND. COM. REP. NO. 364

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 554

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. 554 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Designate the second new moon after the winter solstice of every year as Lunar New year; and

(2) Establish Lunar New Year as a state holiday.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining; Department of Budget and Finance; and Department of Human Resources of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that by celebrating Lunar New Year in Hawaii, the State can honor its rich cultural history, demonstrate its commitment to cultural diversity, and extend its best wishes for peace and prosperity to all who celebrate this important occasion. Your Committee recognizes that the Asian community in Hawaii has contributed greatly not only to the State's social, civic, and economic success, but also to its diverse and vibrant culture, which includes the celebration of Lunar New Year. Your Committee believes that this measure honors the rich and diverse Asian community in the State by designating the second new moon after the winter solstice of every year Lunar New Year as a special day.

Your Committee amended this measure by:

(1) Removing language that would establish Lunar New year as a state holiday and clarifying that Lunar New Year shall not be construed to be a state holiday;

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

(3) 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. 554, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 554, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair