STAND. COM. REP. NO. 108

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 733

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 733 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN CULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to establish and maintain Hawaiian cultural centers within the State and to appropriate moneys for the planning and design of the first Hawaiian cultural center.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that culture is the essence of civilization, and includes all those things that distinguish a society and people, including language, stories, customs, music, art, food, protocols, religions, values, traditions, and celebrations.  Your Committee further finds that Native Hawaiians and their rich and vibrant culture are what continues to make Hawaii unique and different from other places in the world.  However, Your Committee finds that despite the importance of Hawaiian culture in the State, there are no public spaces solely dedicated to the practice and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.  Therefore, this measure requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to establish and maintain Hawaiian cultural centers within the State and appropriates moneys for the planning and design of the first Hawaiian cultural center.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 733 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair