STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1552

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.C.R. No. 141

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.C.R. No. 141 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE HAWAII'S CULTURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the establishment of a working group to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust to preserve and promote Hawaii's cultural resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission; and Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Your Committee finds that sustained investment in cultural preservation, heritage, and the arts supports economic growth, education, tourism, and the overall well-being of the people of Hawaii. Your Committee also finds that various states have successful cultural trusts that could be used as models for sustainable funding of cultural organizations by leveraging donations and tax incentives to support arts and heritage programs. Your Committee believes that establishing a Hawaii Cultural Trust will enhance financial sustainability for cultural institutions and the arts and provide long-term support for the preservation and promotion of Hawaii's cultural resources.

Your Committee recognizes the cultural impact of Hawaiʻi's māhū, LGBTQIA+, QTPI+, and MVPFAFF+ communities on the State and therefore finds it appropriate to include these communities in this critical discussion, as it presents an opportunity for their contributions to the cultural, spiritual, and social fabric of Hawaiʻi to be preserved as well.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Including a representative from the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission to participate in the working group; 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 141, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 141, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair