STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3574

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 117

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 S.C.R. No. 117 entitled:

"SENATE 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, one member of the Honolulu City Council, Kalihi Pālama Hawaiian Civic Club, ʻAha Pūnana Leo, Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani, Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, and one individual.

Your Committees find that John D. Waiheʻe III's lifelong commitment to the people of the State, particularly to the advancement of Native Hawaiian rights, reflects the highest ideals of public service as his personal dedication to serve others embodies the aloha spirit and his professional legacy stands as pioneering in the fields of indigenous rights and native self-governance. Furthermore, he was the first Native Hawaiian to be elected as Governor of any state in the United States, which is a milestone of profound significance not only for the State, but for indigenous people everywhere as his leadership embodied hope and representation, and the restoration of Native Hawaiian presence in positions of the highest governance. Your Committees further find that his legacy is both broad and deeply rooted as he helped establish the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, elevate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as an official language, expand access to health care through the QUEST program, support economic diversification during times of transition, and strengthen the education system locally and nationally. Your Committee believes that John D. Waiheʻe III meets the requirements and deserves to be inducted 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 S.C.R. No. 117 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