STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1623

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 177

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 S.R. No. 177 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING A BROADER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAWAII AND NEW ZEALAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support and encourage a broader relationship with New Zealand.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committee posted and made available for public review a proposed S.D. 1, which deletes the contents of this measure and inserts language to reaffirm the Legislature's friendship with the people of Canada and recognize and acknowledge Canadian holidays significant to the cultures and communities of Canada.

Your Committee finds that both Canada and Hawaii share long histories fraught with challenges and injustice related to colonization and exploitation of indigenous communities whose land and sovereignty was taken against their will. Your Committee further finds that while the injustice of the past can never truly be undone, today both Canada and Hawaii share a commitment to advancing the rights, preserving the culture, empowering new generations, and reaching toward justice for indigenous and native peoples. Your Committee concludes that by reaffirming the Legislature's friendship with Canada and recognizing the nation's holidays, the State acknowledges a shared commitment to prohibiting infringement of the sovereign right of a people to self-determination.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed S.D. 1 and further amending the measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the people of Hawaii reaffirm an enduring friendship with the people of Canada;

(2) Specifying that the State recognizes Indigenous Peoples' Day, Canada Day, and Truth and Reconciliation Day in acknowledgement of Hawaii's annexation by the United States, the United States' posturing to annex Canada against the will of the people of Canada, and the State's commitment to never again allow the sovereign right of a people to self-determination to be taken against their will;

(3) Clarifying that the people of Hawaii invite the people of Canada, including leaders from political parties, first nations, and indigenous cultures, join with the leaders and people of Hawaii in an annual meeting and forum;

(4) Amending legislative findings; and

(5) Updating its title accordingly.

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 S.R. No. 177, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 177, S.D. 1.

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

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CHRIS LEE, Chair