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House committee advances measures to recognize Lā Kūʻokoʻa and Hawaiian History Month
Summary
The House Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs voted to move forward two bills: SB614 SD1, recognizing Lā Kūʻokoʻa (Hawaiian Independence Day), and SB1051 SD1, designating Hawaiian History Month. Both measures had written support and were advanced with amendments that defer their effective dates.
The House Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs recessed for decision making Wednesday, March 12 in Conference Room 309 and voted to advance two culturally focused measures: SB614 SD1, relating to Hawaiian Independence Day, and SB1051 SD1, relating to Hawaiian History Month. Both measures were recommended to move forward with amendments.
Both bills drew no in-person or live Zoom testimony during the hearing; committee members said written testimony had been submitted. Written comments on SB614 SD1 included remarks from the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Budget and Finance (comments), and statements of support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kumukahi Health and Wellness, the Ohana Unity Party, the Kingdom of Hawaiian Islands, and the Association of Hawaiian Civics Clubs. Written support for SB1051 SD1 included testimony from the Hawaiian Civics Club and one individual listed in the submitted record.
SB614 SD1 would establish Lā Kūʻokoʻa (Hawaiian Independence Day) as an official state observance to be observed annually on Nov. 28. The committee advanced the bill with an amendment that the committee described as deferring the effective date; in the record the amended effective date is stated as 07/01/3000. The committee’s action was recorded as a recommendation to move the bill forward.
SB1051 SD1 designates Hawaiian History Month. Committee members likewise advanced SB1051 SD1 with amendments that the chair characterized as deferring the effective date "to July"; the transcript does not specify an exact July date. As with SB614 SD1, the measure drew no oral testimony at the meeting and was advanced on the committee recommendation.
On both measures the roll call as announced in the record identified the chair and the vice chair as voting "aye," and Representative Garrett and Representative Lee as voting "aye." Representative Sayama was recorded as excused. The record also lists an additional excused absence; the name appears inconsistently in the transcript (transcribed as "Reyes Oda" in one place and as "Ray Zoda" in another). Because the spelling and identity are not clear in the posted hearing record, the committee record in this article reports that one other member was excused without asserting a definitive name.
The committee did not take further floor-level action on either bill during the session; both were recommended to move forward in the legislative process. The chair closed the 10:00 a.m. agenda and adjourned the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- SB614 SD1 (relating to Hawaiian Independence Day): Recommendation to move forward with amendment deferring effective date (amended effective date in hearing record: 07/01/3000). Votes announced in meeting record: chair and vice chair — aye; Rep. Garrett — aye; Rep. Lee — aye. Excused: Rep. Sayama and one additional member (name transcribed inconsistently; not specified in the record). Recommendation adopted.
- SB1051 SD1 (relating to Hawaiian History Month): Recommendation to move forward with amendment deferring effective date to July (exact July date not specified in hearing record). Votes announced in meeting record: chair and vice chair — aye; Rep. Garrett — aye; Rep. Lee — aye. Excused: Rep. Sayama and one additional member (name transcribed inconsistently; not specified in the record). Recommendation adopted.
