STAND. COM. REP. NO.  517

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.B. No. 680

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 680, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN REMAINS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to include the use of traditional Hawaiian burial practices in the treatment and disposal of human remains, including the use of alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation, and natural organic reduction.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Willed Body Program of the University of Hawaii; Ken Ordenstein Funerals; Aloha Mortuary; Fisher & Associates Consulting, LLC; and eight individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association, Inc.; Dodo Mortuary, Inc.; Mililani Group, Inc.; Hawaiian Memorial Life Plan, Ltd; and Leeward Funeral Home.

 

     Your Committee finds that the State should promote greater cultural perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian practices, including traditional Hawaiian burials.  Not only do traditional Hawaiian burials play a critical role in Hawaiian culture, they also offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to modern treatments of human remains.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing the definition of "cremation equipment" as the definition is unnecessary;

 

     (2)  Removing unnecessary references to "water cremation", "cremains", and "ashes"; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 680, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 680, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair