STAND. COM. REP. NO. 391-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2045

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 2045 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate La Hoihoi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day, as a state holiday in place of Statehood Day.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission; Na Wai Hoʻola Nui Laʻau Lapaʻau Foundation; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining; Department of Human Resources for the City and County of Honolulu; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that La Hoihoi Ea represents a defining moment in Hawaii's history, commemorating the 1843 restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom's sovereignty after a temporary foreign occupation. The observance marks the return of governing authority to King Kamehameha III and memorializes his proclamation that affirms that the life and sovereignty of the land are perpetuated through righteousness. While July 31 is currently recognized in statute as La Hoihoi Ea, it is expressly not designated as a state holiday. By replacing Statehood Day with La Hoihoi Ea as an official state holiday, this measure formally elevates the day's historical and cultural significance and recognizes its enduring importance to Native Hawaiian identity, resilience, and self-governance.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2045, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2045, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & Arts,

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair