HR 123: urging the State to ACQUIRE the Hawaii theatre to promote local culture and arts, preserve its historic and cultural significance, and facilitate its continued public use.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the State to ACQUIRE the Hawaii theatre to promote local culture and arts, preserve its historic and cultural significance, and facilitate its continued public use.

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Theatre, located in downtown Honolulu, is a historic landmark that has served as a cultural and performing arts center since opening in 1922; and

     WHEREAS, the theatre has played a significant role in the State's cultural and artistic heritage, hosting performances, concerts, and community events that celebrate the State's diverse history and traditions; and

     WHEREAS, the preservation and continued operation of the Hawaii Theatre are vital to supporting the arts, fostering economic development, and enhancing the vibrancy of Honolulu's downtown district; and

     WHEREAS, the State has invested approximately $30 million in public grants and assistance for the renovation and preservation of the Hawaii Theater; and

     WHEREAS, public ownership of the Hawaii Theatre by the State would ensure its long-term preservation, allow for necessary renovations and improvements, and expand access to arts and cultural programming for residents and visitors alike; and

     WHEREAS, investing in the Hawaii Theatre aligns with the State's broader efforts to promote historical preservation, economic revitalization, and cultural enrichment in Hawaii; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the State is urged to acquire the Hawaii Theatre to promote local culture and arts, preserve its historic and cultural significance, and facilitate its continued public use; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State is requested to work collaboratively with local arts organizations, cultural institutions, and community stakeholders to develop a long-term operational plan for the Hawaii Theatre that maximizes public benefit; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Executive Director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Theatre Center.

Report Title: 

Hawaii Theatre; Culture and Arts; Acquire; Public Use; Preservation

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1549

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 123

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred H.R. No. 123 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE TO ACQUIRE THE HAWAII THEATRE TO PROMOTE LOCAL CULTURE AND ARTS, PRESERVE ITS HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND FACILITATE ITS CONTINUED PUBLIC USE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the State to acquire the Hawaii Theatre to promote local culture and arts, preserve its historic and cultural significance, and facilitate its continued public use.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Theatre Center and five individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Theatre, located in downtown Honolulu, is a historic landmark that has served as a cultural and performing arts center since opening in 1922.  The Theatre has played a significant role in the State's cultural and artistic heritage by hosting performances, concerts, and community events that celebrate the State's diverse history and traditions.  Your Committee further finds that the State has invested approximately $30,000,000 in public grants and assistance for the renovation and preservation of the Hawaii Theater to further its efforts in promoting the historic preservation, economic revitalization, and cultural enrichment in Hawaii.  Your Committee therefore believes that public ownership of the Hawaii Theatre by the State will ensure the Theatre's long-term preservation, enable necessary renovations and improvements, and expand access to arts and cultural programming for residents and visitors.

     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 H.R. No. 123 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & Arts,