SCR 197: RECOGNIZING JUNE 21, 2025, AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY, JULY 1, 2025, AS CANADA DAY, AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, AS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY, IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ENDURING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF CANADA AND HAWAII, THE INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGNTY AND SELF-DETERMINATION OF THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, AND A COMMITMENT TO NEVER AGAIN ALLOW THE SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF A PEOPLE TO SELF DETERMINATION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THEIR WILL.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING JUNE 21, 2025, AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY, JULY 1, 2025, AS CANADA DAY, AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, AS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY, IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ENDURING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF CANADA AND HAWAII, THE INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGNTY AND SELF-DETERMINATION OF THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, AND A COMMITMENT TO NEVER AGAIN ALLOW THE SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF A PEOPLE TO SELF DETERMINATION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THEIR WILL.

     WHEREAS, the Kingdom of Hawaii had foreign consulates in numerous Canadian cities including Belleville, Brockville, Halifax, Hamilton, Kingstown, Montreal, Ottawa, Rimouski, Rockville, St. Johns, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria; and

     WHEREAS, the people of Canada and the people of Hawaii share a long and enduring friendship; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is home to many part-time residents from Canada and is one of the State's major overseas visitor markets; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii and Canada share a history dating back to when Hawaii was a kingdom, commonalities in recognizing the rights of its indigenous peoples, and the importance of preserving its culture; and

     WHEREAS, today, Canada and Hawaii are both places of great diversity in people, culture, and communities; and

     WHEREAS, Canada and Hawaii also share long histories fraught with challenges and injustice related to colonization and exploitation of indigenous communities whose land and sovereignty were taken against their will; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii was ultimately annexed by the United States of America despite significant protest by its sovereign government and people; and

     WHEREAS, while the past cannot be changed, today both Canada and Hawaii share a commitment to advancing the rights, preserving the culture, empowering new generations, and reaching toward justice for indigenous and native peoples; and

     WHEREAS, while both Canada and Hawaii have much work yet to do to reconcile historical injustice, today nations including the United States continue to seek to acquire and annex other countries, lands, cultures, and people against their will; and

     WHEREAS, Canada, the First Nations within its borders, and its many diverse cultures and people, is a country independent of the United States and should not be subject to pressure by political or any other means to cede sovereignty and self-determination to the United States or any other country against the will of the people of Canada; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the people of Hawaii reaffirm an enduring friendship with the people of Canada, and in Hawaii, recognize and acknowledge three Canadian holidays, each important for different reasons to different people, cultures, and communities throughout Canada, which together serve as a reminder that every country, culture, and people have a right to self-determination that must never be taken against their will; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State recognizes June 21, 2025, as Indigenous Peoples' Day; July 1, 2025, as Canada Day; and September 30, 2025, as Truth and Reconciliation Day, in recognition of the enduring friendship between the people of Hawaii and the people of Canada, and in acknowledgement of Hawaii's history of annexation by the United States against the will of the government and people of Hawaii in the past, the United States' posturing to annex Canada against the will of the people of Canada in the present, and Hawaii's commitment to never again allow the sovereign right of a people to self-determination to be taken against their will; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to raise the Canadian flag in a ceremony of recognition at an appropriate time and place; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the people of Hawaii invite the people of Canada, and in particular leaders from all political parties, First Nations, and indigenous cultures, to join with the leaders and the people of Hawaii in an annual meeting and forum to discuss their shared history, work together on these and other issues of mutual concern to continue building a lasting friendship between Canada and Hawaii, and reaffirm the rights of the people of Hawaii and Canada to self-determination are preserved, and the mistakes of the past are never again repeated; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Prime Minister of Canada; Ambassador of Canada to the United States; Consul General of Canada in San Francisco; Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and members of the Hawaii congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Canada; International Relations; Indigenous Peoples' Day

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Recognizing JUNE 21, 2025, AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY, JULY 1, 2025, AS CANADA DAY, AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, AS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY, IN acknowledgement of the enduring FRIENDSHIP between the people of canada and hawaii, the independent sovereignty and self-determination of the people of canada, and a commitment to never again allow THE SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF A PEOPLE TO SELF DETERMINATION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THEIR WILL.

     WHEREAS, the Kingdom of Hawaii had foreign consulates in numerous Canadian cities including Belleville, Brockville, Halifax, Hamilton, Kingstown, Montreal, Ottawa, Rimouski, Rockville, St. Johns, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria; and

     WHEREAS, the people of Canada and the people of Hawaii share a long and enduring friendship; and

     WHEREAS, today Canada and Hawaii are both places of great diversity amongst people, culture, and communities; and

     WHEREAS, both Canada and Hawaii also share long histories fraught with challenges and injustice related to colonization and exploitation of indigenous communities whose land and sovereignty was taken against their will; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii was ultimately annexed by the United States of America despite significant protest by its sovereign government and people; and

     WHEREAS, while the past cannot be changed, today both Canada and Hawaii share a commitment to advancing the rights, preserving the culture, empowering new generations, and reaching toward justice for indigenous and native peoples; and

     WHEREAS, while both Canada and Hawaii have much work yet to do to reconcile historical injustice, today nations, including the United States, continue to seek to acquire and annex other countries, lands, cultures, and people against their will; and

     WHEREAS, Canada, the First Nations within its borders, and its many diverse cultures and people, is a country independent of the United States and should not be subject to pressure by political or any other means, to cede sovereignty and self-determination to the United States or any other country, against the will of the people of Canada; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the people of Hawaii reaffirm an enduring friendship with the people of Canada, and in Hawaii, recognize and acknowledge three Canadian holidays, each important for different reasons to different people, cultures, and communities throughout Canada, which together serve as a reminder that every country, culture, and people have a right to self-determination which must never be taken against their will; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State recognizes June 21, 2025, as Indigenous Peoples' Day; July 1, 2025, as Canada Day; and September 30, 2025; as Truth and Reconciliation Day, in recognition of the enduring friendship between the people of Hawaii and the people of Canada, and in acknowledgement of Hawaii's history of annexation by the United States against the will of the government and people of Hawaii in the past, the United States' posturing to annex Canada against the will of the people of Canada in the present, and Hawaii's commitment to never again allow the sovereign right of a people to self-determination to be taken against their will; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the people of Hawaii invite the people of Canada, and in particular leaders from all political parties, First Nations, and indigenous cultures, to join with the leaders and the people of Hawaii in an annual meeting and forum, to discuss their shared history, work together on these and other issues of mutual concern to continue building a lasting friendship between Canada and Hawaii, and to reaffirm the rights of the people of Hawaii and Canada to self-determination are preserved, and the mistakes of the past are never again repeated; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Prime Minister of Canada; Ambassador of Canada to the United States; Consul General of Canada in San Francisco; Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and members of the Hawaii congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Canada; International Relations; Indigenous Peoples' Day

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

reaffirming friendship with the people of canada and recognizing and acknowledging canadian holidays significant to the CULTURES and communities of canada.

     WHEREAS, the Kingdom of Hawaii had foreign consulates in numerous Canadian cities including Belleville, Brockville, Halifax, Hamilton, Kingstown, Montreal, Ottawa, Rimouski, Rockville, St. Johns, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria; and

     WHEREAS, the people of Canada and the people of Hawaii share a long and enduring friendship; and

     WHEREAS, today Canada and Hawaii are both places of great diversity amongst people, culture, and communities; and

     WHEREAS, both Canada and Hawaii also share long histories fraught with challenges and injustice related to colonization and exploitation of indigenous communities whose land and sovereignty was taken against their will; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii was ultimately annexed by the United States of America despite significant protest by its sovereign government and people; and

     WHEREAS, while the injustice of the past can never truly be undone, today both Canada and Hawaii share a commitment to advancing the rights, preserving the culture, empowering new generations, and reaching toward justice for indigenous and native peoples; and

     WHEREAS, while both Canada and Hawaii have much work yet to do to reconcile the past, they may begin by reaffirming a commitment to never allowing those mistakes to be repeated in the present; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body reaffirms its friendship with the people of Canada and recognizes and acknowledges Canadian holidays significant to the cultures and communities of Canada; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body recognizes June 21, 2025, as Indigenous Peoples' Day; July 1, 2025, as Canada Day; and September 30, 2025, as Truth and Reconciliation Day, in acknowledgement of a shared commitment to prohibiting infringement of the sovereign right of a people to self-determination; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body invites leaders from all political parties, indigenous cultures, as well as the people of Canada, to visit the State to collaborate and support this commitment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Prime Minister of Canada; Ambassador of Canada to the United States; Consul General of Canada in San Francisco; Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and members of the Hawaii congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Canada; International Relations; Indigenous Peoples' Day

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

supporting and encouraging a broader relationship between hawaii and new zealand.

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the State to cultivate meaningful relationships with countries and subnational governments to collaborate on solutions to shared challenges; and

     WHEREAS, New Zealand is a Pacific island nation renowned for its leadership in environmental sustainability, indigenous rights, and disaster resilience; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii and New Zealand share similar challenges and values, particularly concerning climate change, conservation, and indigenous cultural preservation; and

     WHEREAS, New Zealand is a world leader in biosecurity, having developed and implemented policies to combat invasive species and prevent the introduction of new species into their unique ecosystem; and

     WHEREAS, both Hawaii and New Zealand are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events; and

     WHEREAS, New Zealand has pioneered innovative climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, including renewable energy initiatives, carbon reduction policies, and nature-based solutions that could serve as a model for Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, New Zealand has developed robust agricultural practices that emphasize sustainability and food security that could be beneficial to the State's local farming and food production industries; and

     WHEREAS, both Hawaii and New Zealand place a strong emphasis on indigenous cultural heritage, with Hawaii's Native Hawaiian community and New Zealand's Maori population sharing a commitment to language preservation, cultural revitalization, and self-determination; and

     WHEREAS, New Zealand has successfully implemented policies that integrate indigenous perspectives into governance, resource management, and education, providing a valuable framework that could inform Hawaii's efforts to empower Native Hawaiian voices and initiatives; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii and New Zealand are both active participants in Pacific regional organizations and initiatives that promote sustainable development, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange; and

     WHEREAS, fostering a broader relationship between Hawaii and New Zealand would strengthen economic ties, enhance knowledge‑sharing, and promote collaboration on shared regional and global challenges; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body supports and encourages a broader relationship between Hawaii and New Zealand; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Report Title: 

New Zealand; Partnership

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2120

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 197

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

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 S.C.R. No. 197, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JUNE 21, 2025, AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY, JULY 1, 2025, AS CANADA DAY, AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, AS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY, IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ENDURING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF CANADA AND HAWAII, THE INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGNTY AND SELF-DETERMINATION OF THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, AND A COMMITMENT TO NEVER AGAIN ALLOW THE SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF A PEOPLE TO SELF DETERMINATION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THEIR WILL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to recognize:

     (1)  June 21, 2025, as Indigenous People's Day;

     (2)  July 1, 2025, as Canada Day; and

     (3)  September 30, 2025, as Truth and Reconciliation Day,

in acknowledgement of the enduring friendship between the people of Canada and Hawaii, the independent sovereignty and self-determination of the people of Canada, and a commitment to never again allow the sovereign right of a people to self-determination to be taken against their will.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Canada and Hawaii share long histories fraught with challenges and injustice related to colonization and exploitation of indigenous communities whose land and sovereignty were taken against their will.  Your Committee recognizes that while the past cannot be changed, Canada and Hawaii still share a commitment to advance the rights, preserve the culture, empower new generations, and work toward justice for indigenous and native peoples.  Your Committee believes that this measure reaffirms the enduring friendship between the people of Canada and Hawaii by acknowledging three Canadian holidays.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language to highlight the enduring friendship between Canada and Hawaii and the commonalities they share;

     (2)  Requesting the Governor to raise the Canadian flag in a ceremony of recognition; and

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

     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 S.C.R. No. 197, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 197, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1622

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 197

       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.C.R. No. 197 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING A BROADER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAWAII AND NEW ZEALAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support and encourage a broader relationship with New Zealand.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

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

     Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committee posted and made available for public review a proposed S.D. 1, which deletes the contents of this measure and inserts language to reaffirm the Legislature's friendship with the people of Canada and recognize and acknowledge Canadian holidays significant to the cultures and communities of Canada.

     Your Committee finds that both Canada and Hawaii share long histories fraught with challenges and injustice related to colonization and exploitation of indigenous communities whose land and sovereignty was taken against their will.  Your Committee further finds that while the injustice of the past can never truly be undone, today both Canada and Hawaii share a commitment to advancing the rights, preserving the culture, empowering new generations, and reaching toward justice for indigenous and native peoples.  Your Committee concludes that by reaffirming the Legislature's friendship with Canada and recognizing the nation's holidays, the State acknowledges a shared commitment to prohibiting infringement of the sovereign right of a people to self-determination.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed S.D. 1 and further amending the measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the people of Hawaii reaffirm an enduring friendship with the people of Canada;

     (2)  Specifying that the State recognizes Indigenous Peoples' Day, Canada Day, and Truth and Reconciliation Day in acknowledgement of Hawaii's annexation by the United States, the United States' posturing to annex Canada against the will of the people of Canada, and the State's commitment to never again allow the sovereign right of a people to self-determination to be taken against their will;

     (3)  Clarifying that the people of Hawaii invite the people of Canada, including leaders from political parties, first nations, and indigenous cultures, join with the leaders and people of Hawaii in an annual meeting and forum;

     (4)  Amending legislative findings; and

     (5)  Updating its title accordingly.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 197, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 197, S.D. 1.

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