STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3906

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 101

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 101, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NOMINATING JOHN D. WAIHEʻE III FOR INDUCTION INTO THE ALOHA ORDER OF MERIT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to nominate John D. Waiheʻe III for induction into the Aloha Order of Merit.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kalihi Pālama Hawaiian Civic Club, and one individual.

Your Committees find that John D. Waiheʻe III's lifelong dedication to the people of the State, particularly his commitment to the advancement of Native Hawaiian rights, reflects the highest ideals of public service. His personal devotion to serving others embodies the aloha spirit and his professional legacy is recognized as pioneering in the areas of indigenous rights and Native self‑governance. Your Committees further find that John D. Waiheʻe III was the first Native Hawaiian elected as Governor of any state in the United States, a historical moment of profound significance not only for the State, but for indigenous peoples everywhere as his leadership represented hope, representation, and the restoration of Native Hawaiian presence at the highest levels of governance. His legacy is both broad and deeply rooted as he significantly contributed to the establishment of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, elevated ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as an official language, expanded access to health care through the QUEST program, supported economic diversification during periods of transition, and strengthened the education system both locally and nationally. Your Committees believe that John D. Waiheʻe III meets the qualifications and is deserving of induction into the Aloha Order of Merit.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 101, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture and the Arts,

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

________________________________ HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair