STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1933

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 163

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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 163, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATING PACIFIC ISLAND CULTURE AND ARTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, in consultation with other agencies, to establish an annual festival in Hawaii that celebrates the culture and arts of the Pacific region.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that events like the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) promote trans-Pacific cooperation and help preserve the strong cultural heritages of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. Your Committee further finds that providing annual dedicated opportunities and festivals, like FestPAC, to learn about and experience the varied cultures and traditions that make up the Pacific region allows for further understanding, cooperation, and appreciation. This measure encourages the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to invest in an annual festival in Hawaii to educate, experience, and celebrate the culture and arts of the Pacific region.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 163, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

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CHRIS LEE, Chair