STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2208-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 99

S.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 S.C.R. No. 99, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE ENGAGEMENT AND RELATED INITIATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to convene a working group to:

(1) Establish a nonprofit organization recognized by the State to support arts and culture engagement and related initiatives; and

(2) Submit reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaiʻi International Film Festival; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Your Committee finds that a vibrant arts and culture sector is critical to preserving the State's unique heritage, fostering community well-being, and driving a creative economy. However, Hawaii currently lacks a flexible, state-recognized nonprofit framework to support the kinds of high-level creative residency programs that have proven successful in other jurisdictions. By convening a working group to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering arts engagement and cultural exchange, this measure can enhance educational programming, create new opportunities for local artists and students, and strengthen Hawaii's position as a premier center for global artistic collaboration.

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 S.C.R. No. 99, S.D. 1, 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