HR 156: urging THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, THE COUNTY OF MAUI, THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, AND THE COUNTY OF KAUAI TO ESTABLISH SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PACIFIC ISLAND MUNICIPALITIES.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, THE COUNTY OF MAUI, THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, AND THE COUNTY OF KAUAI TO ESTABLISH SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PACIFIC ISLAND MUNICIPALITIES.

     WHEREAS, the success of the 13^th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC), hosted for the first time by Hawaii in its fifty-two-year history in June 2024, demonstrated the value and importance of fostering relationships between Hawaii and its Pacific Island neighbors; and

WHEREAS, those in the Pacific Island region face unique opportunities and challenges, as well as share in many similar histories, traditions, and cultures; and

WHEREAS, Sister City programs encourage exchanges in arts and culture, youth and education, business and trade, and community development; and

WHEREAS, Sister City relationships have been made between counties in the State of Hawaii and eighty-nine cities worldwide, with thirty of these in the Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, expanding Sister City relationships between Hawaii and additional Pacific Island communities would strengthen regional ties and further cultivate a shared appreciation of one another’s people, history, and culture; 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 City and County of Honolulu, the County of Maui, the County of Hawaii, and the County of Kauai are urged to establish new Sister City relationships with other Pacific Island municipalities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Mayor of the County of Maui, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, and Mayor of the County of Kauai.

Report Title: 

Pacific Islands Caucus; Sister Cities

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1547

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 156

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. 156 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, THE COUNTY OF MAUI, THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, AND THE COUNTY OF KAUAI TO ESTABLISH SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PACIFIC ISLAND MUNICIPALITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge all of the counties to establish new Sister City relationships with other Pacific Island municipalities.

     Your Committee did not receive any written testimony on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that the success of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC), hosted for the first time by Hawaii in its fifty-two-year history in June 2024, demonstrates the value and importance of fostering relationships between Hawaii and its Pacific Island neighbors.  Your Committee also finds that Sister City programs encourage exchanges in arts and culture, youth and education, business and trade, and community development.  Your Committee believes that expanding Sister City relationships between Hawaii and additional Pacific Island communities would strengthen regional ties and further cultivate a shared appreciation of one another's people, history, and culture.

     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. 156 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Technology.

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