HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

74

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE FORMATION OF A WORKING GROUP TO CREATE A PLAN REGARDING THE RETURN OF CULTURAL ARTIFACTS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, cultural artifacts are an important part of the history of any people; and

 

     WHEREAS, many of Hawaii's cultural artifacts have been transported out of the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, likewise, many persons in Hawaii possess cultural artifacts that rightfully belong to other lands; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State should take action to facilitate the return of all cultural artifacts; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Administrator of the State Historic Preservation Division, or their respective designees, are requested to form and serve as Co-Chairs of a Cultural Artifact Return Working Group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Co-Chairs of the working group are requested to invite museum representatives, cultural and historical experts, and other appropriate individuals to serve as members of the working group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to create a plan to:

 

     (1)  Request the return of Hawaii's cultural artifacts to the State; and

 

     (2)  Arrange for the return of cultural artifacts in Hawaii that rightfully belong to other lands,

 

in a manner that promotes cross-cultural respect and aloha; provided that for purposes of this measure, "cultural artifact" means any manmade item that contains important information about the people and culture of a society, but excludes human remains and funerary objects; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Cultural Artifact Return Working Group is requested to submit a report of its plan, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be considered dissolved after the last day of the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Administrator of the State Historic Preservation Division.

Report Title: 

Cultural Artifacts; Working Group; Hawaiian Affairs; History