STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1195

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 614

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 614, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Independence Day, on November 28th of each year as a state holiday.

Your Committee has received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Kumukahi Health + Wellness; Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; Moanalua Gardens Foundation; Ohana Unity Party; and six 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 "La Kuokoa", Hawaiian Independence Day, was a national holiday celebrated annually on November 28 to commemorate the signing of the Anglo-Franco Proclamation of 1843, which represented the official diplomatic recognition of the independence and sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom by Great Britain and France. Hawaiian Independence Day holds cultural and historical significance and represents an affirmation of identity and joyful pride for the people of Hawaii. This measure seeks to designate a state holiday in commemoration of this former national holiday, which is still observed and celebrated by many Native Hawaiians and residents of the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 614, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 614, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair