STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1573-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 152

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.R. No. 152 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARTS DATA AND MAPPING TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT A STATEWIDE SURVEY OF ENTITIES ENGAGED IN ARTS AND ARTS EDUCATION AND DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE DATABASE AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM MAP OF ARTS ENTITIES AND PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the establishment of an Arts Data and Mapping Task Force to conduct a statewide survey of entities engaged in arts and arts education and develop a comprehensive statewide database and geographic information system map of arts entities and programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that arts programs and arts education play a vital role in supporting student learning, cultural preservation, community well-being, workforce development, and the State's creative economy. However, the State currently lacks a centralized, comprehensive, and publicly accessible database capturing the full scope and geographic distribution of arts programs and services, making it difficult for policymakers, educators, and community stakeholders to identify gaps, coordinate resources, and make informed decisions. By requesting the establishment of an Arts Data and Mapping Task Force to conduct a statewide survey and develop a comprehensive database and mapping system of arts entities and programs, this measure improves transparency, accessibility, and strategic planning for arts and arts education statewide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 152 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair