STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1875

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 731

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 731 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate November 28 of each year as La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Independence Day, to celebrate the historical recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies.

Your Committee finds that La Kuokoa honors the pivotal moment in Hawaiian history when the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii was formally recognized by England and France through the signing of the Anglo-Franco Proclamation. Your Committee believes that recognizing this historical event will provide a unique opportunity for the people of Hawaii to reflect upon their history and the prominent position Hawaii has held on the world stage for over two centuries.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 731 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair