Report Title:

State Tartan, Adopted

 

Description:

Adopts an official tartan for the State. Directs the state foundation on culture and the arts to register the tartan in Scotland.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

603

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

ADOPTING AN OFFICIAL STATE TARTAN.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawai'i has a strong and flourishing Scottish and Irish heritage which has been ever-present since the early days of the monarchy. Today it is embodied in its many local organizations and institutions including the Hawai'i Handweavers Hui, the Caledonian Society of Hawai'i, the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawai'i, the Scottish Country Dancers Association, Hawai'i Thistle Pipe Band, the St. Andrews Society, the Scottish Association, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the Celtic Catholic Church, the Khanate of the Golden Horde, the Society for Creative Anachronism, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Clan Na Gael and others. These groups reflect the broad diversity of Hawai'i's ethnic population bound together in an appreciation of Celtic culture.

One of the most important symbols of Scottish and Irish culture is the tartan, which signifies a common bond between people. Many states including Washington, Texas, Maine, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and the United States itself have all adopted tartans for their citizenry.

In 1997 the Hawai'i Handweavers Hui in association with the Caledonian Society conducted a public plebiscite at the state Highland Games on selecting a tartan for Hawaii. A design prepared by Douglas Herring received overwhelming support by the public. The tartan reflects the colors of Hawai'i: blue for its oceans and skies, green for its forests and landscapes, brown for the 'aina, the life-giving soil, and red and yellow for its royal legacy and fiery origins.

The purpose of this Act is to adopt an official tartan for the State Hawaii.

SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§5- State tartan. The tartan designed by Douglas Herring as selected at the 1998 state Highland Games is designated as the official tartan of the State. The state foundation on culture and the arts shall register the state tartan with the Register of All Publicly Known Tartans maintained by the Scottish Tartans Society in the Hall of Records of the Highland Heritage Museum Trust at Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland and the Scottish Tartan Authority in Perthshire, Scotland, and shall maintain on public display a copy of the tartan. The thread count for the tartan is: B/8 (blue), R4 (red), Y4 (yellow), B48 (blue), T16 (brown/tan), G40 (green), Y4 (yellow), and R/6 (red)."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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