The House Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs on March 14, 2025, voted to advance SB441 SD1, a measure that would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and add appropriations and reporting requirements to support statewide music programs.

Committee members adopted amendments that add a preamble stating legislative intent and the orchestra's historical ties to the state, insert language referencing the State of Hawaii endowment fund as a possible funding vehicle, and add a new point in section 3 to ensure funds may be used to expand neighbor‑island access and education programs. The committee also approved a technical clean‑up and set a defective effective date of July 1, 3000. The recommendation was adopted in a recorded voice vote with the chair and vice chair voting aye; Representative Garrett was excused; Representatives Lee, Sayama and Reio Isolda voted aye.

Deputy Attorney General Ian Robertson, appearing for Attorney General Randall Nishiyama, told the committee that the department had submitted testimony “with comments, including, some suggested language for, contributing and appropriation to the state endowment fund to help support the symphony.”

Dane Lam, music and artistic director of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, testified in strong support and described the orchestra’s statewide programming. “We deliver more than 50 concerts annually,” Lam said, adding that the orchestra reaches tens of thousands of unique audience members and that recent broadcasts and livestreams extended the orchestra’s reach. He told members the orchestra has 84 musicians and described the group’s work with local artists, youth ensembles and free public concerts.

June Shin, testifying for the Democratic Party of Hawaii, said music should be accessible to people “regardless of their age and background,” and urged lawmakers to consider the bill as a way to provide job stability for orchestra workers. Tuohyana (listed in the record as Tuohy/Tuohyana) Scanlon, president of IATSE Local 665, and Gene Corpus also testified in support. The committee record shows written support from more than 140 individuals and organizations including ABC Stores, the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra Society, the University of Hawaii at Manoa music department and the Hawaii Youth Symphony.

The committee discussion included questions about how any appropriation would be routed. Lam told members the orchestra would prefer funding to support operating costs so it could immediately expand education and free‑concert programs rather than routing an appropriation through a long‑term endowment. Lam also traced the orchestra’s history in the islands, noting that the organization previously received state funding, lost it in the early 2000s, and later rebuilt after a period of bankruptcy around 2009–2010.

The committee moved the bill forward to the next House committee with the adopted amendments and recorded recommendation.

The committee also noted one written testimony in opposition and a small number of submissions with comments. No further action was taken at this meeting; the bill will continue through the House committee process.