STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3878

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 36

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 36 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF OKAYAMA, JAPAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a sister-state relationship between the State, United States of America, and the prefecture of Okayama in Japan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; one member of the Honolulu City Council; Hawaii Okayama Kenjin Kai; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Sister Cities International; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State has initiated six sister‑state relationships with Japanese prefectures but has not yet partnered with Okayama, a prefecture on the coast of Japan's Honshu Island. Since 1868, when a samurai from Okayama arrived with the first group of Japanese immigrants, Okayama has shared a unique bond with the State that thrives even today through the joint activities of educational institutions and nonprofits. This measure will honor the shared past while strengthening economic opportunity, advancing shared goals of international peace, and cementing the bond for the good of future generations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 36, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair