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Committee advances Kaho'olawe special license plate bill after supporters testify
Summary
The committee voted to move HB307, authorizing a special license plate for Kaho'olawe, forward with technical amendments to the effective date and to reference the correct bank account name for collected funds.
The House Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs voted to advance HB307, a bill authorizing a special vehicle license plate recognizing Kaho'olawe, after testimony from cultural practitioners and the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission. The committee said it would move the measure forward with technical amendments that defer the bill's effective date and clarify the fund name and bank-account language.
Kahele Faith Saito testified in person for Protect Kahoolawe Ohana and asked the committee for its support, saying the group stood "on the testimony that we submitted and any questions or concerns you may have for us." Michael Nahope, executive director of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission, also testified in support and said the commission "stands in support of this measure and [is] here to answer any questions."
Other written and in-person supporters included Kulle Salazar and testimony filed by several community members. Saito and others clarified the legal and financial names the committee should use: the organization is registered under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as Kohe Malama Lama O Kanaloa, while their Bank of Hawaii account is named "Kohe Malama Lama O Kanaloa Protect Kaho'olabe Fund"; the witnesses asked the committee to reference the bank account name so funds from the plate would reach the intended recipient.
Chair Janae Capella told members the bill "already notes that there is a fund at the end of that, so that is accurate," and said the committee would move the measure forward with technical amendments to the effective date.
The committee adopted the chair's recommendation by voice vote. The clerk noted Representative Ray Zoda was absent during the vote; no members recorded a no vote.
The committee acknowledged they had received numerous pages of written support and petitions showing public interest in the special plate. The bill will proceed with committee-level technical amendments and clarifications to the bill text regarding fund naming and effective date.
