STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 0 2 2025
RE: S.R. No. 177
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.R. No. 177 entitled:
"SENATE 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
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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.R. No. 177, as amended herein, and recommends its
adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 177, S.D. 1.
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Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Transportation and
Culture and the Arts,
CHRIS LEE, Chair
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 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawai‘i
Record of Votes
Committee on Transportation and Cuiture and the Arts
TCA
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date:
SR. \n
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to: ___________________________________
The Recommendation is: z
Pass, unamended V Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311_______________ 2310________ 2313
Members Aye, Aye (WR) Nay Excused
LEE, Chris (C)
INOUYE, Lorraine R. (VC)
ELEFANTE, Brandon J.C.
KANUHA, Dru Mamo
DECORTE, Samantha
TOTAL
Recommendation:
[Cf Adopted __ Not Adopted
Chair’gor Designee’s Signature: a
Distribution: Original / Y^low Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 12/09/24