THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
259 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO EXPLORE AND IMPLEMENT A VISITOR PLEDGE OF ALOHA TO EDUCATE AND EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF HAWAII'S ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE AND ENCOURAGE INCREASED RESPECT AND APPRECIATION OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
WHEREAS, Hawaii's environment, culture, and people are unique and assailable resources that are central to the identity of our island state; and
WHEREAS, the islands host eleven out of the fourteen possible Koppen climate classification subcategories that exist in the world, each with unique weather characteristics and delicate ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii has approximately 8,750 endemic species of plants, animals, protists, and fungi on the islands and in the ocean surrounding the islands but is also known as the "The Endangered Species Capital of the World", due to the fragility of existence for many of our endemic species; and
WHEREAS, these unique attributes of the Hawaiian Islands should be honored, valued, and protected by the people of Hawaii, and visitors should be educated and acknowledge their kuleana to honor and respect Hawaii's environment, culture, and people; and
WHEREAS, the island of Palau has successfully implemented an educational and cultural pledge, which is a declaration that each visitor will protect Palau's environment and culture for future generations; and
WHEREAS, in Hawaii, A Pledge to Our Keiki has already been developed by students, and it is based on the Palau pledge; and
WHEREAS, A Pledge to Our Keiki reads:
From our children we learn that Hawaii is not
inherited from our ancestors but borrowed from our future generations;
So, when you are welcomed here you become part
of this Ohana, which is responsible for us and our island home. Just as we, na keiki o ka aina, the children of
Hawaii, pledge to care for these islands, we ask that you make this pledge to us:
(1) For a rare and endangered place, where a destructive
foreign species is introduced every day — I will bring only what is invited and
be mindful of where I explore;
(2) For
an island community that defines wealth not by what is kept, but what is shared
— I will give my respect and leave what is not mine to take;
(3) For
an indigenous culture that has evolved with these islands, both unique and intertwined
in their existence — I will experience sacred places and practices with a bowed
head and open heart;
(4) For
this birthplace of aloha that typically welcomes more visitors than has residents
— I will live aloha, tread lightly amongst this beauty and make it cleaner than
I found it;
(5) For
a Hawaiian people whose ancestors sailed here using only the stars to guide them
in search of islands to sustain them — I will learn from your legacy and support
your ongoing voyage toward sustainability.";
now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is urged to explore and implement a visitor pledge of Aloha to educate and explain the importance of Hawaii's environment and culture and to encourage increased respect for and appreciation of the Hawaiian Islands; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State is requested to adopt this pledge for visitors to the islands and to encourage visitors to recognize their kuleana to help protect Hawaii's environment and culture for future generations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is urged to determine how to implement such a pledge in a manner most likely to ensure every visitor is required to acknowledge it; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and Mayor of each of the counties.
Aloha Educational and Cultural Pledge; Visitors to Hawaii