STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1716-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.R. No. 21

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 21 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO IDENTIFY THE SCOPE OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN CULTURAL APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDRESSING NATIVE HAWAIIAN DISPARITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to identify the scope of Native Hawaiian cultural appropriateness for the purpose of addressing Native Hawaiian disparities with emphasis on Native Hawaiian economic development, education, health, and housing needs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Aloha Consultants; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies.

Your Committee finds that Native Hawaiians experience disparities and inequities in crucial aspects of life, including but not limited to economics, education, health, and housing. This measure requests the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to identify the scope of Native Hawaiian cultural appropriateness in these areas to better inform policy processes in the State.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 21 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair