THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	218
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE STATE TO EXPLORE AND IMPLEMENT A VISITOR PLEDGE OF ALOHA TO EDUCATE AND EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF HAWAII'S ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE AND ENCOURAGE INCREASED RESPECT AND APPRECIATION OF the hawaiian ISLANDS.

 

 

        WHEREAS, Hawaii's environment, culture, and people are unique and assailable resources that are central to the identity of our island state; and

 

        WHEREAS, the islands host eleven out of the fourteen possible Koppen climate classification subcategories that exist in the world, each with unique weather characteristics and delicate ecosystems; and

 

        WHEREAS, Hawaii has approximately 8,750 endemic species of plants, animals, protists, and fungi on the islands and in the ocean surrounding the islands but is also known as the "The Endangered Species Capital of the World", due to the fragility of existence for many of our endemic species; and

 

        WHEREAS, these unique attributes of the Hawaiian Islands should be honored, valued, and protected by the people of Hawaii, and visitors should be educated and acknowledge their kuleana to honor and respect Hawaii's environment, culture, and people; and

 

        WHEREAS, the island of Palau has successfully implemented an educational and cultural pledge, which is a declaration that each visitor will protect Palau's environment and culture for future generations; and

 

        WHEREAS, in Hawaii, A Pledge to Our Keiki has already been developed by students, and it is based on the Palau pledge; and

 

        WHEREAS, A Pledge to Our Keiki reads:

 

        "From our elders we have learned we are part of the environment, not above it.  The life, lands, and waters are more than just our surroundings, they are our family;

 

        From our children we learn that Hawaii is not inherited from our ancestors but borrowed from our future generations;

 

        So, when you are welcomed here you become part of this Ohana, which is responsible for us and our island home.  Just as we, na keiki o ka aina, the children of Hawaii, pledge to care for these islands, we ask that you make this pledge to us:

 

        (1)   For a rare and endangered place, where a destructive foreign species is introduced every day     I will bring only what is invited and be mindful of where I explore;

 

        (2)   For an island community that defines wealth not by what is kept, but what is shared     I will give my respect and leave what is not mine to take;

 

        (3)   For an indigenous culture that has evolved with these islands, both unique and intertwined in their existence     I will experience sacred places and practices with a bowed head and open heart;

 

        (4)   For this birthplace of aloha that typically welcomes more visitors than has residents     I will live aloha, tread lightly amongst this beauty and make it cleaner than I found it;

 

        (5)   For a Hawaiian people whose ancestors sailed here using only the stars to guide them in search of islands to sustain them     I will learn from your legacy and support your ongoing voyage toward sustainability.";

 

now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the State is urged to explore and implement a visitor pledge of Aloha to educate and explain the importance of Hawaii's environment and culture and to encourage increased respect for and appreciation of the Hawaiian Islands; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State is requested to adopt this pledge for visitors to the islands and to encourage visitors to recognize their kuleana to help protect Hawaii's environment and culture for future generations; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State is urged to determine how to implement such a pledge in a manner most likely to ensure every visitor is required to acknowledge it; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and mayor of each of the counties.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:  

Aloha Educational and Cultural Pledge; Visitors to Hawaii