STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1536-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.C.R. No. 159

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 159 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS AMONG THE PEOPLES OF OCEANIA, OF WHICH HAWAI‘I IS A PART, AND URGING GREATER COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENTS OF NATIONS AND PROGRAMS AND TRAINING TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PACIFIC ISLAND COMMUNITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize the historic, cultural, and strategic connections among the peoples of Oceania, of which Hawai‘i is a part, and to urge greater collaboration with governments of these nations and implementation of programs and training to combat discrimination against Pacific Island communities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii shares significant and deep historic ties with other nations comprising Oceania. Your Committee further finds that it is in the best interest of the State to deepen and strengthen those ties, celebrate the diverse natures and cultures of Oceania, collaborate and exchange best practices on commonly shared policy issues, and implement programs and trainings to combat discrimination against Pacific Island communities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title;

(2) Including the President of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures as a recipient of a certified copy of this measure; and

(3) 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, & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 159, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 159, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair