House Standing Committee on Culture & Arts

Good morning. We are convening today's Culture and the Arts Committee hearing. We are in room 309. Today is Wednesday, February 5th, and this is our 10:30am agenda. We are going to go right into it. We have HB531 relating to special number plates.

This is authorizing the issuance of special number plates to recognize the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Up first, we have, and our only testifier on the list is Cynthia Au with the American Cancer Society Action Network. In person, not here, or potentially on Zoom. Okay, she's not here.

So remember seeing that there's no one to ask questions of, we will be moving forward. I will note that American Cancer Society was in support and that was my only testifier on the list. Moving on to our next measure, HB458, relating to Brother Joseph Dutton Day. We have the State Comptroller in support, in person.

Aloha mai kakou, Chair, Representative. On behalf of Keith Regan, Comptroller from the Department of Accounting and General Services, I am Dr. Adam Jansen. It is my privilege and honor to serve as your state archivist. And DAGS stands very strongly in support of this Bill. Any opportunity we have to highlight the history of Hawaii should be maximized.

And as Brother Dutton is both the spiritual and physical successor to Father Damien, he is very worthy of remembrance. The State Archives is blessed to have his manuscript collection, his letters, his photographs describing what the conditions were like. We stand very firmly in the belief that those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat it.

Kalaupapa is one of those things we should never forget, never repeat. So I thank you for the opportunity to testify and always happy to answer any questions. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Up next, I have Brenda Duarte with the Joseph Dutton Guild Member in support, not present. I have Patrick Boland, also with the Joseph Dutton Guild, in support, in person.

Chair Kapela and Representative Lee. Thanks for the opportunity to testify in this Bill. I am Patrick Boland representing the Joseph Dutton Guild. The Guild supports the Bill strongly. The merits of the Bill are expressed very well in section one and in the written testimony you have received. You have my written testimony. I won't bother to read it.

In summary, Dutton spent the last 44 years of his life in the community at Kalaupapa Settlement, serving the unfortunates that were banished there by society. This extraordinary life of service and dedication deserves the recognition that is present in this Bill. So thanks again for the opportunity to testify. I'm fairly well aware of Brother Dutton's Life. so if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. And thanks also to DAGS.

Thank you so much, Mr. Bullen for your testimony and for your support of this measure. On this. That was all I have on my in person and zoom testifiers list. I will note that I have testimony and support from St. Patrick Monastery along with another individual. Members, any questions? Okay, seeing none.

We're going to move on to our next measure, HB35, 345, excuse me, relating to the state shrimp, which would establish opae ula as the state shrimp to protect alkaline pool systems throughout the State of Hawaii. Up first, I have DLNR in support in person.

Aloha Chair Capella, Representative Lee. Brian Neilson on behalf of Department of Land and Natural Resources. We stand on our written testimony in support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Neilson. I also have Olan Leimomi Fisher and Kevin Chang with Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo in support in person.

Aloha Chair Capella and Rep. Lee. I'm Olan Leimomi Fisher, advocate with Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo, also known as KUA. And we support three large state networks.

And this Bill is coming out of requests from some of our community members that are in our Hui Malama Loko I'a network, our fish pond network, and they help to protect the Hawaii Kai or Hawaii Opae Ula that house these shrimp. And they attempted in 2019 to get this measure passed, but it ended up not moving.

And so this is the second attempt and we sign in strong support, of course for this. So we just urge you to please pass it. Thank you.

Thank you so much for your testimony. I believe that's all I have on my testifiers list. But there are numerous individuals in support of this measure. I will note that I also have Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition providing written comments.

There is testimony in support from Hawaii Wildlife Fund, testimony in support from Hawaii alliance for Progressive Action and testimony providing comments from Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition. And there are 16 people in support. Members are there any questions? Okay, seeing none. We're going to move on to our next measure, HB194 relating to Maritime Day.

We have one person in support, Jacob Weinsack, an individual providing written testimony only. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Okay, seeing none and seeing that there's no one to provide any questions or answers, we're going to move on. We're going to move on to HB 554.

First up we have Department of Budget and Finance, providing comments only on this measure. Not here. We also have the Office of Collective Bargaining, providing comments. Also, not here. That's all I have on my testifiers. Oh no. I'm sorry. Forgive me. There's more. I also have Tainy Hisai on Zoom in support. Okay.

And I have a Chloe, an individual via Zoom in support. Thanks for being here, Chloe.

Good morning Chair and Vice Chair of the board. I'm Chloe Franklin, a senior at Kalaheo High School. And I wanted to express that I'm in favor of HB554 on the grounds of it being supportive of the diversity in Hawaii, as well as being economically prosperous for Asian American owned stores.

As we know, with federal and state holidays, the endorphins in the air leads to an increase in special merchandise sales relating to that holiday.

And with families who can come together and celebrate with other community Members, there's an opportunity to go out and purchase goods from those Asian American owned stores, as well as it being supportive of the 37.3% of wise population that is Asian American and allowing them to take the time to celebrate the holiday that is important to them from their culture and their history.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Chloe. I also have a Davina in support via Zoom. Okay. Not, not present. I will note that there are, there are a handful of people that have provided. There are five people in support and three people with comments. I have a question for Chloe. Yes, ma'am? Can you.

I really appreciate your comments and for end your testimony outlining the numerous benefits that we would get by creating Lunar New Year as a holiday. Can you though, tell me what it would mean for you if we were to establish a holiday for a Lunar New Year?

For me, I think it's very important to celebrate culture no matter where it comes from, and being a child in America, where I myself know so many people of diverse cultures and histories, to be able to experience that alongside my friends and my community.

Chloe, thank you so much for your testimony and thank you for sharing that. Representative Lee, do you also have any questions? Okay, perfect. Chloe, I just want to thank you so much for being, for being a part of today's hearing, you were definitely a highlight for me.

We're going to move on to our next measure and it's our last measure of the day. That's going to be HB957. Up first, I have, I will note that I have testimony and support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, but it's written testimony only. My list says that I have a Renette K also in support via Zoom. Okay.

Not present. I have a Nelson individual in support via Zoom. Also not present. Okay. I will note that that's all I had on my testifiers list. Is there anyone else who would like to provide testimony in support of HB957 relating to Lao Lao Day? Okay. Seeing none.

I just want to note that I have on my testifiers list about 36 individuals who have written testimony in support. Seeing that there's no one to ask questions of, we are going to recess for decision making. Recess.

We are gaveling back in for decision making on our 10:30am agenda. We are just jumping straight into it.

Our first measure is HB531 relating to special license plates for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. I recommend that we move this forward with technical amendments. We will be adding its effective date of July 1st, 3000. Are there any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay, voting on HB 531 with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. Representative Garrett. Aye. Representative Lee, Represent Sayama. Aye. Representative Reyes Oda. Not present, excused. Chair your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you so much. Moving on to HB 458 relating to brother Joseph Dutton Day. I recommend that we pass this adding only a Defective date of July 1st, 3000. Questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay, voting on HB 458 with amendments. Are there any nos or with reservations? Chair recommendations adopted.

Thank you so much. Moving on to HB 345 relating to the state shrimp, establishing the opae ula as the state shrimp to protect alkaline pool systems throughout Hawaii. I recommend that we move this forward with technical amendments only. We will just be defecting the date to July 1st, 3000. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none.

Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay, voting on HB345 with amendments. Are there any nos or with reservations. Chair resignation is adopted.

Thank you so much. Moving on to HB 194 relating to Maritime Day. I would like to move this forward with amendments on page 1, line 10, and page 2, line 3, we will be adding the date May 22nd to align with National Maritime Day. We will also be defecting the date July 1, 3000.

Are there any questions, comments or concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Voting on HB194 with amendments. Are there any nos or reservations? See none. Recommendation is adopted.

Thank you so much. Moving on to HB 554 relating to state holidays designating the second day, the day of the second new moon after winter solstice of each year as Lunar New Year. It establishes Lunar New Year as a state holiday. I would like to move this measure forward with amendments. We're going to be removing section two.

The reason we're going to be doing this is because cost about $9 million to establish a new state holiday. So the amendment will read Chapter 8 Hawaii Revised Statute is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and will read as follows. Lunar New Year,

the second new moon after winter solstice shall be known and designated as Lunar New Year. This day shall not be constructed as a new state holiday and we will be adding a defective date of July 1, 3000.

I want to mention that it's incredibly important that we recognize Lunar New Year as a day of recognition and support the many wonderful cultural and diverse aspects that our Asian community brings to Hawaii. And by designating Lunar New Year as a day of recognition, I think it will be a benefit for the entire state.

Ireka, any questions, comments or concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay, voting on HB 554 with amendments. Are there any nos with reservations? Seeing none recommendation is adopted.

Thank you so much Members. Moving on to our last measure, HB957 relating to Laulau Day. This Bill would designate May 1st of each year as Laulau Day in the State of Hawaii. I'm going to recommend that we move this forward with amendments. I personally really love May Day.

So, we will actually be instead of May 1st we're going to be establishing the first Friday of May as Laulau Day. So, we will be amending page two line six to read the first Friday of May. Officially designating the first Friday of May as Lau Lao Day. We will be adding a defective date of July 1, 3000.

Are there any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay, voting on HB 957 with amendments. Are there any no's or with reservations? Seeing none. Recommendation is adopted.

Thank you Members.

We are adjourned.

Thank you Members. We are gaveling in for decision making on our 11:15am agenda for the purpose of hearing a Bill relating to, relating to arts. The time is 11:16. We are in room 309. And today is February 9th or February 5th. Excuse me, we're going to go right into it. This is House Bill 925.

It's currently a short form Bill. We are going to be inserting new language that would allow the state to levy a 1% tax on the sale of concert tickets to be used for the purposes of promoting arts access across the state.

The recommendation is to pass the short form Bill with the HD to recommit for future public hearings. Are there any questions, comments, or concerns? Okay. Seeing None. Vice Chair for the vote.

So with an HD. Yes. So, voting on HB 925 to pass with amendments with all Members present. Are there any nos. Reservations seeing none. Recommendation is adopted.

Thank you Members and we're adjourned.