HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	53
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER TWENTY-EIGHTH AS HAWAII GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY.

WHEREAS, Good Neighbor Day was created in the early 1970s by Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana; and

WHEREAS, in 1978, United States President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601, recognizing September twenty-fourth as National Good Neighbor Day; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, National Good Neighbor Day was changed from the fourth Sunday in September to September twenty-eighth; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of this special day was to reverse the epidemic of loneliness in the country; and

WHEREAS, strong social organization and community ties are associated with lower crime rates in neighborhoods; and  

WHEREAS, a Good Neighbor initiative is built on asset-based community development principles; and

WHEREAS, the bonds of the nation and world are built through cohesive families and communities; and

WHEREAS, community development is driven by the existing gifts of the community, which are often hidden and need to be uncovered; and

WHEREAS, the assets already found in the community mobilize people to come together to build on their gifts; and

WHEREAS, everyone in a community has something to offer, and all are needed and valued; and

WHEREAS, an intentional effort to build and nourish relationships is the core of asset-based community development and all community-building; and

WHEREAS, cities across the nation celebrate Good Neighbor Day, attracting hundreds to creative and meaningful events to reinforce the power of connection; and

WHEREAS, San Francisco has launched the city's first-ever Good Neighbor Week, accompanied by a city-wide proclamation, Good Neighbor awards, local block parties, and a digital community bulletin board; and

WHEREAS, Boston hosted various neighborly acts such as Bingo events, Nominate-a-Neighbor Certificates, and community clean-ups; and

WHEREAS, Phoenix focused their National Good Neighbor Day on grassroots engagement, emphasizing front yard events and neighbor-led gatherings, which allowed neighbors to take the lead in shaping their communities; and

WHEREAS, other major cities have organized various events such as scavenger hunts, days of kindness, and citizen-led informal get-togethers; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that September twenty-eighth is recognized as Hawaii Good Neighbor Day, on which Hawaii residents are encouraged to host and engage in meaningful and connection-building community events; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor.

Report Title:

Hawaii Good Neighbor Day; Community Engagement; Proclamation 4601