THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

118

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO RESEARCH THE DESIGNATION OF NOVEMBER 20TH OF EACH YEAR AS MAKAHIKI COMMEMORATION DAY, WHICH IS REQUESTED TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN UNPAID STATE HOLIDAY.

 

 

     WHEREAS, in Native Hawaiian tradition, the Makahiki is a New Year festival and season dedicated to harvest, bounty, taxation, and the god Lono; and

 

     WHEREAS, the rising of Makali‘i (the Constellation Pleiades) at sunset marks the beginning of the Makahiki season; and

 

     WHEREAS, Makahiki is a season spanning four consecutive lunar months, approximately from October or November through February or March; and

 

     WHEREAS, a function of the Makahiki prior to foreign arrival was to assess the prosperity of the ‘āina, at least from a political perspective and the rejuvenation of the ‘āina and people; and

 

     WHEREAS, Makahiki was a time for the Hawaiian people and their ruling chiefs to focus on rest, strengthening their bodies, and having great feasts of commemoration, during days in which labor was prohibited; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Makahiki festival was celebrated in three phases: the first phase was a time of spiritual cleansing and making ho‘okupu, offerings to the gods; the second phase was a time of celebration consisting of hula, games, sports, singing, and feasting; the third phase, the wa‘a ‘auhau -- tax canoe -- was loaded with ho‘okupu and taken out to sea where it was set adrift as a gift to Lono; and

 

     WHEREAS, Makahiki was the time when peace was of foremost importance -- all war was outlawed to allow unimpeded passage of the image of Lono whose domain includes fertility, agriculture, and peace; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Makahiki was revived on Kaho‘olawe and Moloka‘i in 1981 and 1982, respectively; and

 

     WHEREAS, today, there are Makahiki events throughout the State; most are centered around youth to engage them with Native Hawaiian traditions and practices such as games of skill and wit as well as competitive events showcasing physical strength and agility; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State currently recognizes November 20th of each year as Makahiki Commemoration Day; however, it is not a state holiday; and

 

     WHEREAS, given its importance in Hawaiian tradition, the Makahiki should be recognized as a state holiday; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to research the designation of November 20th of each year as Makahiki Commemoration Day, which is requested to be recognized as an unpaid state holiday; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including 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 a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Report Title: 

Legislative Reference Bureau; State Holiday; Makahiki