STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1665

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 191

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 191 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE JAPANESE WOMEN'S SOCIETY FOUNDATION FOR CREATING THE "ADOPT-A-MOM" PROGRAM AND ENCOURAGING ALL FAMILIES AND AGENCIES WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY OF HAWAII TO PLACE "ADOPT-A-MOM" DAY ON THEIR CALENDARS, AS THE THIRD SUNDAY OF MAY, IN OBSERVANCE OF THE ELDERLY WOMEN OF HAWAII WHO DESERVE TO BE CHERISHED AND APPRECIATED FOR THE INVALUABLE ROLE THEY PLAY AS THE MOTHERS OF OUR KEIKI O KA AINA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to recognize the invaluable role that the elderly women of Hawaii play as mothers of the State's keiki by:

     (1)  Commending the Japanese Women's Society Foundation for creating the "Adopt-A-Mom" program; and

     (2)  Encouraging all families and agencies working with the elderly of Hawaii to place "Adopt-A-Mom" Day on their calendars as the third Sunday of May.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Japanese Women's Society Foundation of Hawaii started the "Adopt-A-Mom" program in 1995 to recognize mothers in Hawaii who are not able to celebrate Mother's Day with family members.  The "Adopt-A-Mom" program has enriched the lives of many kupuna and provides an important reminder that Hawaii's elders are an essential part of ‘ohana.  The program also highlights the efforts of the Japanese Women's Society Foundation to build and maintain a care home at Kuakini Medical Center for elderly women of limited means.  Your Committee further finds that former Governor Neil Abercrombie announced that beginning in 2016, the third Sunday of May would be designated as "Adopt-A-Mom" Day on the official state calendar. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 191, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Housing,

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SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair