Report Title:

Waiomina Centennial Celebration Commission

 

Description:

Establishes the Waiomina centennial celebration commission to commemorate the contributions of Hawaii's ranching community.  Appropriates funds (HB1735 HD2).

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1735

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

establishing a commission to COMMEMORATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HAWAII'S RANCHING COMMUNITY.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Hawaii ranching community has made significant and substantial contributions to Hawaii's economic and cultural vitality.  Since the arrival of cattle and horses in 1793 and 1803, respectively, the multiethnic culture and proud heritage of the livestock industry has been, and will continue to be, a positive influence upon life in Hawaii.  Until 1908, when the territory of Hawaii had been in existence for only eight years, Hawaii was virtually unknown to the American ranching industry.  A few American ranchers had sold livestock to buyers who said they were taking them to Hawaii, a destination known to most Americans only as an island kingdom consisting of grass shacks and some sugar cane producers.

     In July 1908, however, a particular event changed these perceptions of Hawaii.  The Cheyenne, Wyoming ("Waiomina" in the Hawaiian language), Frontier Days Rodeo, then in its eleventh year of existence, was known as the greatest and grandest western rodeo.  A winner in the Cheyenne competition was acknowledged in American ranching circles as a true champion.  In 1908, Eben Low, a Hawaii rancher, picked three of the best Hawaiian cowboy ropers, known as paniolo, that he could find and entered them in the rodeo at Cheyenne.  They took first, third, and sixth places in steer roping, and the cowboy world on the continental United States was stunned.  It became obvious that the Hawaii men who could win using borrowed horses were expert horsemen and could use well-trained horses that they had trained themselves.  Within a year or so, the horses of Hawaii had attracted the critical eyes of the United States military, when the cavalry at that time rode horses and mules instead of
four-wheel-drive cargo trucks.  By World War II, Hawaii horses were considered better for military purposes than those raised and trained in the continental United States.  General George Patton, who later led the United States tank cavalry in World War II, came to Hawaii as a major and bought, trained, and rode Hawaii's excellent horses.

     During the time of the kingdom of Hawaii and the territory of Hawaii, as well as during the two world wars, the Hawaii ranching industry helped to meet the beef and mutton needs of both the civilian and military populations of Hawaii.  Today, the continental United States beef industry favors Hawaii-raised cattle because they are hardy, noted for rapid weight gain, and have an excellent reputation with consumers.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a commission to develop a centennial celebration commemorating the recognition of Hawaii's ranching community by the American government and agribusiness sectors.

     SECTION 2.  There is established a temporary commission to be known as the Waiomina centennial celebration commission, which shall have charge of all arrangements for the commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Championship of 1908.  The commission shall be placed within the office of the governor for administrative purposes and shall cease to operate after December 31, 2008.

     SECTION 3.  The commission shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the governor without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  The members shall represent government, ranching, agribusiness, tourism, culture and the arts, and the community at large.  The governor shall designate the chair of the commission from among the appointed members.  An individual appointed to another commission is eligible to be appointed as a member of this commission.

       The members shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties under this Act.

     Any member of the commission shall be immune from civil liability as provided for under section 26-35.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 4.  The Waiomina centennial celebration commission shall:

     (1)  Prepare an overall program to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Wyoming championship by commemorating the multicultural contributions of both ranchers and cowboys to the development of this state;

     (2)  Identify a nonprofit organization that will be responsible for any moneys received or expended for the centennial anniversary celebration; and

     (3)  Develop, plan, and coordinate the various program activities to be scheduled throughout the year of the celebration and encourage the participation of all segments of the tourism, agricultural, and ranching communities.

     In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Waiomina centennial celebration commission shall consult, cooperate with, and seek advice from appropriate organizations and agencies.

     SECTION 5.  The Waiomina centennial celebration commission may seek grants from public and private sources and may accept donations to finance the projects, programs, and activities of the centennial anniversary celebration.  Any funds received by the commission shall be submitted to the nonprofit organization responsible for any moneys received or expended for the centennial anniversary celebration.

     Chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not apply to any grant or subsidy made pursuant to this Act by the legislature.  All property acquired by the commission shall be deposited for preservation in the Hawaii state public library system, museums, and public archives or shall otherwise be disposed of as directed by the commission.

     SECTION 6.  Prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008, the Waiomina centennial celebration commission shall submit to the governor and the legislature a status report of its activities, including:

     (1)  Documentation of the activities planned or implemented for the centennial anniversary celebration; and

     (2)  An accounting of all moneys received and disbursed by the nonprofit organization responsible for the financial management of funds appropriated to the commission.

     SECTION 7.  At the end of its term, the Waiomina centennial celebration commission shall submit to the governor and the legislature a final report of its activities, including:

     (1)  Documentation of the activities implemented for the centennial anniversary celebration; and

     (2)  An accounting of all moneys received and disbursed by the nonprofit organization responsible for the financial management of funds appropriated to the commission.

     SECTION 8.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $    or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 to be used by the Waiomina centennial commission as matching funds for the commemoration of the contributions of the ranching industry to Hawaii.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of the governor for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 9.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.