SB 1011: RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the aloha order of merit was established to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions and achieved national or international recognition in a field either by a single event or by the totality of work that has been pioneering in that field or outstanding in the long term.  The legislature also finds that many exceptional and notable individuals are deserving of recognition specifically for their contributions to Hawaii.  While the aloha order of merit honors individuals who have made national and international contributions and achieved recognition, the legislature believes there should be a similar program to honor individuals who have made their mark on Hawaii.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the Hawaii leadership awards program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii in their respective fields and serve as inspirations to others.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§9-    Hawaii leadership awards program.  (a)  There is established within the state archives for administrative purposes the Hawaii leadership awards program to honor individuals who:

     (1)  Have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii; and

     (2)  Serve as an inspiration to others.

     (b)  Awards shall be presented annually to individuals in each of the following categories:

     (1)  Arts;

     (2)  Business and labor;

     (3)  Entertainment;

     (4)  Food and drink;

     (5)  Literature;

     (6)  Music;

     (7)  Public service;

     (8)  Science;

     (9)  Sports;

    (10)  Community engagement;

    (11)  Profile in courage; and

    (12)  Friend of Hawaii,

who have resided in the State for a period of at least seven years; provided that no individual receiving an award pursuant to paragraph (12) shall reside in the State.

     (c)  The governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the Hawaii leadership awards selection committee, or their designees, shall present the awards to awardees annually.  No individual shall receive more than one award per category per year.

     (d)  Each awardee shall:

     (1)  Receive a certificate of honor and medal; and

     (2)  Have the awardee's story and a statement of recognition displayed in a conspicuous place for a period of one year; provided that after the year, the awardee's information shall be added to a permanent archival exhibit of awardees, to include those from the Aloha order of merit; provided further that the awardee's information shall be archived within the state archives.

     (e)  Awardees shall be selected by a Hawaii leadership awards selection committee.  The selection committee shall be composed of the following members:

     (1)  One individual to be appointed by the president of the senate;

     (2)  One individual to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (3)  One individual to be appointed by the governor;

     (4)  One individual to be appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

     (5)  One individual from the state archives.

     (f)  Nominations for awardees shall be accepted by the Hawaii leadership awards selection committee from the public.

     (g)  The state archives shall coordinate with respective stakeholders to administer and execute the program."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

State Archives; Hawaii Leadership Awards Program

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii and serve as inspirations to others.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Culture and Arts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the aloha order of merit was established to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions and achieved national or international recognition in a field either by a single event or by the totality of work that has been pioneering in that field or outstanding in the long term.  The legislature also finds that many exceptional and notable individuals are deserving of recognition specifically for their contributions to Hawaii.  While the aloha order of merit honors individuals who have made national and international contributions and achieved recognition, the legislature believes there should be a similar program to honor individuals who have made their mark on Hawaii.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the Hawaii leadership awards program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii in their respective fields and serve as inspirations to others.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§9-    Hawaii leadership awards program.  (a)  There is established within the foundation for administrative purposes the Hawaii leadership awards program to honor individuals who:

     (1)  Have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii; and

     (2)  Serve as an inspiration to others.

     (b)  Awards shall be presented annually to individuals in each of the following categories:

     (1)  Arts;

     (2)  Business and labor;

     (3)  Entertainment;

     (4)  Food and drink;

     (5)  Literature;

     (6)  Music;

     (7)  Public service;

     (8)  Science;

     (9)  Sports;

    (10)  Community engagement;

    (11)  Profile in courage; and

    (12)  Friend of Hawaii,

who have resided in the State for a period of at least seven years; provided that no individual receiving an award pursuant to paragraph (12) shall reside in the State.

     (c)  The governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the Hawaii leadership awards selection committee, or their designees, shall present the awards to awardees annually.  No individual shall receive more than one award per category per year.

     (d)  Each awardee shall:

     (1)  Receive a certificate of honor and medal; and

     (2)  Have the awardee's story and a statement of recognition displayed in a conspicuous place for a period of one year.

     (e)  Awardees shall be selected by a Hawaii leadership awards selection committee.  The selection committee shall be composed of the following members or their designees:

     (1)  The lieutenant governor;

     (2)  The chairperson of the senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over culture and arts; and

     (3)  The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over culture and arts.

     (f)  Nominations for awardees shall be accepted by the Hawaii leadership awards selection committee from the public."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Hawaii Leadership Awards Program

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii and serve as inspirations to others.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 481

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1011

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1011 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to the State and serve as inspirations to others.

     Your Committee received support on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and three individuals.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

     Your Committee finds that there is currently no award that is analogous to the Aloha Order of Merit for important accomplishments at the state level.  The Aloha Order of Merit honors individuals who have achieved national or international recognition for accomplishments in their respective fields, but not for accomplishments specifically recognized mainly within the State.  This measure will address this deficit by establishing the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to specifically acknowledge those who have made significant contributions to the State of Hawaii. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the administration of the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program from the State Foundation of Culture and the Arts to the State Archives;

     (2)  Requiring the awardee's story and a statement of recognition to be added to a permanent archival exhibit of awardees, to include those from the Aloha order of Merit, and also be archived in the State Archives;

     (3)  Amending the membership of the selection committee to be comprised of:

          (A)  One individual appointed by the President of the Senate;

          (B)  One individual appointed by the Speaker of the House;

          (C)  One individual appointed by the Governor;

          (D)  One individual appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and

          (E)  One member from the State Archives;

     (4)  Requiring the State Archives to coordinate with respective stakeholders to administer and execute the Program; and

     (5)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1011, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1011, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,