SCR163

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	163
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

reaffirming the legislature's commitment to participate as a member legislature in the pacific inter-parliamentary assembly.

WHEREAS, the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group was established in 2019 by parliaments and legislative assemblies across the Pacific region to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, facilitate the exchange of best legislative practices, and support democratic institutions throughout Oceania; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature has participated in the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group since 2019, recognizing Hawaiʻi's unique geographic, cultural, and historical ties to the peoples and nations of the Pacific; and

WHEREAS, in August 2025, member legislatures adopted statutes establishing the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly as the successor organization to the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group, expanding the framework for cooperation among Pacific legislatures and formalizing its governance structure as a regional association of Pacific parliaments and legislative assemblies; and

WHEREAS, the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly seeks to strengthen democratic governance, enhance legislative cooperation, and provide a platform for Pacific legislatures to collaborate on shared priorities, including climate resilience, sustainable development, ocean stewardship, cultural preservation, and economic resilience across the region; and

WHEREAS, the vision of the Blue Pacific Continent reflects a shared commitment among Pacific peoples to strengthen regional solidarity, protect the Pacific Ocean, and advance a resilient and prosperous future for the region; and

WHEREAS, Hawaiʻi's geographic location, indigenous heritage, and longstanding cultural and historical connections across Oceania position the State as a natural bridge between Pacific Island nations and the United States, fostering dialogue, partnership, and collaboration among Pacific legislatures; and

WHEREAS, continued engagement in the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly allows the Legislature to support Pacific-led regional cooperation, exchange legislative expertise, and elevate the voices and priorities of Pacific communities in regional dialogue; and

WHEREAS, the transition from the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group to the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly requires participating legislatures to formally reaffirm their membership under the newly established institutional framework; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body reaffirms its commitment to participate as a member legislature in the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that that continued participation in the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly will strengthen parliamentary cooperation between Hawaiʻi and other Pacific legislatures and advance shared priorities across the Pacific region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives; President of the East-West Center; Chairman of the Board of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; Secretariat of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; and Parliament of French Polynesia.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; Membership

SCR 163: REAFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER LEGISLATURE IN THE PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY.

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