STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2649

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2042

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2042 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN HAWAII AND PUERTO RICO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Puerto Rican Exchange Commission (Commission).

     The duties of the Commission include:

     (1)  Coordinating cultural exchange events between Hawaii and Puerto Rico;

     (2)  Recognizing the contributions of the Puerto Rican people to Hawaii; and

     (3)  Commemorating the arrival of the first Puerto Ricans to Hawaii.

     The measure also appropriates an unspecified amount for developing, planning, and coordinating various programs and events as part of a cultural exchange program with Puerto Rico and for the construction of a monument to commemorate the arrival of the first Puerto Rican people in Hawaii.

     Your Committee did not receive written comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that since the arrival of the first Puerto Ricans in Hawaii on December 23, 1900, their rich culture and proud heritage have contributed to all phases of Hawaii's development.  Your Committee believes that by honoring and recognizing the contributions of the Puerto Rican people and their culture to Hawaii, this measure will promote and bring awareness to Hawaii's diverse and multicultural society.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2042 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair