HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

22

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

dESIGNATING A STATE-OWNED PARCEL OF LAND ADJACENT to THE FIRST HOME OF pRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AS THE "PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA BIRTHPLACE GARDEN," AND ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO PLAN APPROPRIATE IMPROVEMENTS TO IDENTIFY AND DIGNIFY THE SITE.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the newspaper birth announcement for Barack Obama, born August 4, 1961, listed his residence as an address on Kalanianaole Highway, near Kuliouou Road; and

 

     WHEREAS, Barack Obama spent most of his childhood and adolescent years in Honolulu, developing character and intellect that encompass a sense of aloha, an appreciation of multiculturalism, and an enlightened global perspective; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 1999, Barack Obama wrote, "The opportunity that Hawaii offered – to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect – became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear;" and

 

     WHEREAS, Barack Obama once said, "What's best in me, and what's best in my message, is consistent with the tradition of Hawaii;" and First Lady Michelle Obama has said, "You can't really understand Barack until you understand Hawaii;" and

 

     WHEREAS, after moving from Hawaii upon graduation from high school, Barack Obama maintained close ties with his home state, visiting resident family members and friends on a nearly annual basis to re-experience island activities as a kamaaina, and continuing with annual family Christmas vacations to Hawaii throughout his years as President; and


     WHEREAS, the people of Hawaii, inspired and proud that one of their own could aspire to become President of the United States, cast more than seventy-one percent of their 2008 and 2012 presidential ballots for this keiki o ka aina, making Hawaii the state with the greatest victory margin to elect President Obama in the nation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii owns a small parcel of land adjacent to the first home of the 44th President of the United States; and

 

     WHEREAS, this historic site is on a route to several East Oahu attractions, including President Obama's favorites Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach, as well as the memorial locations of his mother and grandmother, and the site is passed by thousands of residents and visitors every day; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, that the 4,124 square foot State-owned property at 6091 Kalanianaole Highway (TMK 3-8-003-055), under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, be designated and established as the "President Barack Obama Birthplace Garden"; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is urged to approve this designation by executive order as provided by law; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a working group be formed by July 1, 2016 to include:

 

     (1)  Three community members assigned by the Senate President;

 

     (2)  Three community members assigned by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

     (3)  One member each appointed by Neighborhood Boards Number 1 and 2;

     (4)  The member of the Hawaii House of Representatives representing House District 18 or the Representative's designee;

 

     (5)  The Hawaii State Senator representing Senate District 8 or the Senator's designee;

 

     (6)  The Councilmember representing Honolulu City Council District 4 or the Councilmember's designee; and

 

     (7)  Other members as appointed by the above designated members; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group, which will serve without remuneration, is requested to organize itself and develop a plan to appropriately identify and enhance the parcel, including a plan to cover costs of the improvements using private as well as public funds, and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state and county government agencies are encouraged to provide assistance and support to this working group in the accomplishment of its tasks as needed; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Transportation, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, the Chairperson of the Honolulu City Council, and the Chairpersons of Neighborhood Boards Number 1 and 2.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Designating President Barack Obama Birthplace Garden and Establishing Working Group to Identify and Dignify the Site.