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Joint committee advances bill to observe Hawaiian Independence Day as state holiday
Summary
Joint committees moved SB 614 forward with amendments to create an observed state holiday recognizing Hawaiian Independence Day; proponents framed the bill as a way to educate residents about Hawaiian sovereignty history, while the Office of Collective Bargaining asked for cost estimates.
Joint committees on Transportation and Culture & the Arts and Hawaiian Affairs voted on Feb. 13 to advance Senate Bill 614, which would make Hawaiian Independence Day (commonly referred to in testimony as La Kuokoa) an observed state holiday with technical amendments and a defective date to allow further consideration.
Multiple witnesses, including University of Hawaii students and community members, testified in support of the bill. Reese Flores, a social work student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, said she was “submitting testimony in strong support of SB 614” and described learning more of Hawaiian history as “eye opening and disheartening.” She told the committees that recognizing the day would help “restore this lost history and educate the keiki.”
Bailey Bidina, another UH Manoa student, told senators that establishing the holiday would recognize Kanaka Maoli identity and sovereignty history: “If we can honor Statehood Day and American Independence Day as state or federal holidays, we can honor La Kua Oka, an important indication of our independence and sovereignty as people.” Kimber Horson, who also testified in support, argued schools could mark the day to teach an account of Hawaii’s pre‑statehood sovereignty.
Wilbert Hoke, chief negotiator with the Office of Collective Bargaining, told the committee he did not have a cost estimate available at the hearing and offered to provide one to the chairs for committee consideration.
Committee chairs recommended passing SB 614 with amendments that include a defective effective date to allow further budgetary review. The Committee on Transportation and Culture & the Arts recorded Chair Lee and several senators voting aye on the committee recommendation. The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation; the chair and vice chair recorded aye votes, and Senator Ihara was excused.
Committee members noted concerns about financial implications; one senator asked that those concerns be reflected in committee reports and requested cost information be circulated to the chairs. The bill will move forward with the noted technical amendments and a defective date so the next committee can consider budgetary impacts.
