HR 206: HONORING AND COMMENDING HERB LEE, JR., FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION, CULTURAL PRESERVATION, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

HONORING AND COMMENDING HERB LEE, JR., FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION, CULTURAL PRESERVATION, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI.

     WHEREAS, established in 1993, the Pacific American Foundation is a Native Hawaiian non-profit organization that has developed highly successful and innovative education and leadership projects benefiting over 150 schools, trained over 6,000 teachers, and formed over 200 community and industry partnerships; and

     WHEREAS, since 2018, HERB LEE, JR., served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific American Foundation, leading transformative educational initiatives and cultural preservation efforts across the State of Hawaiʻi; and

     WHEREAS, in 1995, HERB LEE, JR., assisted in the establishment of the Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society to protect and steward one of the few remaining 400-year-old ancient Hawaiian fishponds, showcasing his steadfast commitment to preserving Hawaiʻi's cultural heritage; and

     WHEREAS, HERB LEE, JR., also played a key role in developing Nā Hopena Aʻo, a framework of outcomes adopted by the Hawaiʻi Board of Education in 2015, reflecting his commitment to enhancing cultural responsiveness among students and staff; and

     WHEREAS, as Chief of Staff to Honolulu City Council Chair Patsy T. Mink, HERB LEE, JR., was responsible for legislative matters, policy research and writing, and representing the Council Chair on issues involving federal, state, and city government, the Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties, neighborhood boards, community organizations, constituents, and the business sector; and

     WHEREAS, HERB LEE, JR., also contributed to the community as a recording artist, Hawaiian musician, and cultural practitioner; he won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in 1986, released five Hawaiian music albums, composed numerous songs, and performed worldwide; and

     WHEREAS, HERB LEE, JR., has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation's Preservation Honor Award; the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce's ʻŌʻō Award; the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs' Ka Mana o ke Kanaka, the Spirit of the Hawaiian Award; and the Rotary Club of Honolulu's Jerry Chang Peacemaker Award; and was recognized as a Cesar E. Chavez Champion of Change by President Obama in 2014; and

     WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career at the Pacific American Foundation and elsewhere, HERB LEE, JR., has exemplified an unwavering dedication to educational excellence, cultural preservation, community service, and the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian values and traditions; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi, Regular Session of 2025, that this body hereby honors and commends HERB LEE, JR., for his contributions to education, cultural preservation, and community development in the State of Hawaiʻi and extends to him its warmest aloha and best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Report Title: 

Herb Lee, Jr.; Retirement