STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1891

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1508

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1508, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide funding for the improvement of Native Hawaiian communities and culture.

Specifically, this measure appropriates moneys to:

(1) The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to improve Native Hawaiian communities and culture through various assistance services, including but not limited to services that offer Native Hawaiian historic preservation, business training, entrepreneurship, and mentoring; and

(2) The Department of Land and Natural Resources for repatriation and reburials of Native Hawaiians nationally and internationally.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that funding a virtual marketplace to assist local artisans and businesses to adapt to e-commerce and an innovation center that provides workshops, counseling, loan assistance, and broadband access would help to develop and grow businesses in Hawaii. Your Committee also finds that it is appropriate for the State to support repatriation efforts to return iwi kupuna and related funerary articles to Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1508, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair