STAND. COM. REP. NO. 205

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 624

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 Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 624 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRINCE JONAH KUHIO KALANIANAOLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require certain public buildings near mass transit projects and on Hawaiian home lands to display portraits of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, Waiʻanae Coast Community Foundation, and two individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole spearheaded the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, and was responsible for instituting the county system still in place today. As a statesman, Prince Kuhio shaped the foundation for the State's modern government structure. Accordingly, your Committee finds that it is appropriate to honor Prince Kuhio through the display of his portraits.

Your Committee notes the discussion held with the community during the public hearing on this measure and requests that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands procure an official portrait of Prince Kuhio. Your Committee finds that it is appropriate to allow the Hawaiian community to provide feedback regarding which portrait of Prince Kuhio is most representative of his image and that the chosen artwork become the official portrait of the prince.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 S.B. No. 624, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 624, S.D. 1, 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 RICHARDS, Chair