STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1907

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.C.R. No. 241

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 241, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a sister-state relationship between Hawaii and the Prefecture of Yamaguchi, Japan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism; Japan-America Society of Hawai‘i; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that sister-state relationships allow Hawaii to assert and promote the State's active participation in international matters. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii and the people of Yamaguchi Prefecture share a long history and strong bond dating back to the 1800s. Establishing a sister-state relationship with the Prefecture of Yamaguchi, pursuant to the recommendations of the Hawaii Sister-State Committee, will be highly beneficial in expanding tourism, strengthening cultural bonds, and advancing common goals of international peace and fellowship.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 241, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair