SB 199: RELATING TO HAWAIIAN CULTURE.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN CULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Native Hawaiian culture is the foundation of all aspects of life in Hawaii.  This culture influences Hawaii's government, businesses, tourism industry, families, and individuals.  The legislature recognizes that despite the prevalence of this cultural foundation, there are no public spaces dedicated to the practice and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.

     The legislature believes that Native Hawaiian cultural centers may serve as places where residents and visitors may learn about Hawaiian culture, history, tradition, and practices.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the office of Hawaiian affairs to establish and maintain no fewer than       Native Hawaiian cultural centers within the State;

     (2)  Require the office of Hawaiian affairs to construct a cultural center on Oahu by 2040, with the understanding that construction shall proceed as quickly as possible;

     (3)  Require the office of Hawaiian affairs to submit reports to the legislature regarding the office's compliance with this Act; and

     (4)  Appropriate moneys for the planning and design of the first Native Hawaiian cultural center.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§10-    Native Hawaiian cultural centers; statewide.  (a)  No later than           , the office of Hawaiian affairs shall establish and maintain no fewer than       Native  Hawaiian cultural centers within the State.

     (b)  Each Native Hawaiian cultural center shall:

     (1)  Focus on elevating and uplifting the Native Hawaiian people;

     (2)  Be dedicated to Hawaiian culture and history, emphasizing the particular geographic location of the center;

     (3)  Contain both static and interactive displays and exhibits;

     (4)  Offer classes in Hawaiian chanting, dancing, music, language, and other cultural practices on a regular, ongoing basis; and

     (5)  Serve as a place where the public may gather and hold celebrations."

     SECTION 3.  The office of Hawaiian affairs shall construct one cultural center on Oahu by 2040, with the understanding that construction shall proceed as quickly as possible.

     SECTION 4.  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2028, the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs shall submit to the legislature reports that include:

     (1)  The status of the office's compliance with this Act;

     (2)  The estimated costs of the planning, design, and construction of Native Hawaiian cultural centers;

     (3)  Any proposed legislation; and

     (4)  Any other relevant information.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the planning and design of one Native Hawaiian cultural center.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

OHA; Native Hawaiian Cultural Centers; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to establish and maintain Native Hawaiian cultural centers within the State.  Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to construct one cultural center on Oahu by 2040.  Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit reports to the Legislature regarding the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' compliance with this Act.  Appropriates funds for the planning and design of the first Native Hawaiian cultural center.  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 HAWAIIAN CULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Native Hawaiian culture is the foundation of all aspects of life in Hawaii.  This culture influences Hawaii's government, businesses, tourism industry, families, and individuals.  The legislature recognizes that despite the prevalence of this cultural foundation, there are no public spaces dedicated to the practice and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.

     The legislature believes that Native Hawaiian cultural centers may serve as places where residents and visitors may learn about Hawaiian culture, history, tradition, and practices.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the office of Hawaiian affairs to establish and maintain no fewer than       Native Hawaiian cultural centers within the State;

     (2)  Require the office of Hawaiian affairs to submit reports to the legislature regarding the office's compliance with this Act; and

     (3)  Appropriate moneys for the planning and design of the first Native Hawaiian cultural center.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§10-     Native Hawaiian cultural centers; statewide.  (a)  No later than           , the office of Hawaiian affairs shall establish and maintain no fewer than     Native  Hawaiian cultural centers within the State.

     (b)  Each Native Hawaiian cultural center shall:

     (1)  Focus on elevating and uplifting the Native Hawaiian people;

     (2)  Be dedicated to Hawaiian culture and history, emphasizing the particular geographic location of the center;

     (3)  Contain both static and interactive displays and exhibits;

     (4)  Offer classes in Hawaiian chanting, dancing, music, language, and other cultural practices on a regular, ongoing basis; and

     (5)  Serve as a place where the public may gather and hold celebrations."

     SECTION 3.  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2028, the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs shall submit to the legislature reports that include:

     (1)  The status of the office's compliance with this Act;

     (2)  The estimated costs of the planning, design, and construction of Native Hawaiian cultural centers;

     (3)  Any proposed legislation; and

     (4)  Any other relevant information.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the planning and design of one Native Hawaiian cultural center.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

OHA; Native Hawaiian Cultural Centers; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to establish and maintain Native Hawaiian cultural centers within the State.  Requires the Office to submit reports to the Legislature regarding the Office's compliance with this Act.  Appropriates moneys for the planning and design of the first Native Hawaiian cultural center.

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. 208

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 199

       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 Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 199 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN CULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to establish and maintain Native Hawaiian cultural centers within the State;

     (2)  Require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit reports to the Legislature regarding the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' compliance with this measure; and

     (3)  Appropriate moneys for the planning and design of the first Native Hawaiian cultural center.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and six individuals.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that there is a lack of dedicated spaces for the practice, education, and celebration of Native Hawaiian traditions in the State.  A center open to the public and dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture is an important community resource, in recognition of the foundational role of Hawaiian culture in the State.  This measure will foster the preservation of the Native Hawaiian culture, history, and traditions in the State.

     Your Committee notes that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified at the public hearing on this measure that the intent of its Legacy Lands Program is to caretake areas that will be preserved for the practice of Hawaiian culture and other non-conflicting uses such as cultural and learning exchanges.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding language requiring the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to construct one cultural center on Oahu by 2040, with the understanding that construction proceed as quickly as possible;

     (2)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose;

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 199, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 199, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,