STAND. COM. REP. NO 259

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 194

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 194 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN HAWAII AND AFRICAN AMERICANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Hawaii Commission on African American History and Culture to recognize the contributions of the African American people in Hawaii and educate residents and visitors to the State about these contributions.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that since the arrival of the first African Americans in Hawaii between 1778 and 1850, the African American people have contributed significantly to all phases of Hawaii's development.  The rich culture and proud heritage of the African American people have been and continue to be positive influences upon life in Hawaii.  However, little is known or preserved due to a lack of understanding and racial divides.  Recognition of the contributions of the African American people and their culture is important to the promotion and awareness of Hawaii's diverse and multicultural society.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 194, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 194, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education and the Arts,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair