Bill Text: HI HCR37 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution 37 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Requesting The Governor To Convene A Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission To Examine And Formulate A Reconciliation Process Relating To Issues Of Past, Present, And Future Importance To The Native Hawaiian People, The State Of Hawaii, And The United States Of America.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-10 - The committees on WLH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamane, Todd, Lowen, Tarnas; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Har, Ward; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Wildberger; and Excused: none. [HCR37 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HCR37-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	37
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the governor to convene a blue ribbon RECONCILIATION commission to examine and formulate A reconciliation Process relating to issues of past, present, and future importance to The native hawaiian people, the State of Hawaii, and the united states of america.

WHEREAS, before January 17, 1893, the United States of America had a political, economic, cultural, and diplomatic relationship with the Kingdom of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, on January 17, 1893, this relationship was shattered by the actions of agents and citizens of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii recognized the consequences of these actions and therefore significantly amended the Hawaii State Constitution in 1978, and the Legislature also enacted unprecedented legislation to address these consequences; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, the 103rd Congress enacted Public Law 103-150 to, in part, apologize officially for both the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the concomitant deprivation of the rights of Native Hawaiians to self-determination; and

WHEREAS, after this apology, efforts to effectuate the apology and to establish a new relationship of respect and trust with the Native Hawaiian people have met with varying levels of success; and

WHEREAS, there remains a pressing need to establish a new relationship based on reconciliation and trust between the Native Hawaiian people, the State of Hawaii, and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, establishing and engaging in a process for reconciliation will provide a strong foundation for this relationship; and

WHEREAS, establishing and engaging in a participatory and meaningful process for reconciliation will ensure that issues of importance to the Native Hawaiian people, the State of Hawaii, and the United States of America are addressed; and

WHEREAS, a process for reconciliation that focuses on a shared commitment to a positive future for all the people of Hawaii will enable the people of Hawaii to move respectfully into the future; and

WHEREAS, a process for reconciliation will provide a participatory and meaningful process of engagement to address the current discord related to Mauna Kea, including issues related to land use and stewardship, the environment, economy, culture, and science; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the Senate concurring, that the Governor is requested to convene a Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission to:

(1) Examine and establish a reconciliation process relating to past, present, and future issues of importance to the Native Hawaiian people, the State of Hawaii, and the United States of America; and

(2) Identify processes and reconciliation proposals related to land use and stewardship, the environment, economy, culture, and science; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature requests the Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission to make recommendations that:

(1) Identify processes that can be documented and replicated; and

(2) Propose reconciliation measures that can be implemented; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to appoint one or more individuals to coordinate the efforts of the Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to invite interested and experienced individuals to serve as members of the Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission serve without compensation from the State, but will be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as its first task, the Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission is requested to examine and establish a reconciliation process related to Mauna Kea; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission is requested to submit a report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, regarding identifiable processes and reconciliation proposals related to land use and stewardship, the environment, economy, culture, and science; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of Hawaii, Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, President of the University of Hawaii, Hawaii's Congressional delegation, Kamehameha Schools, The Queen Emma Foundation, Queen Liliuokalani Trust, and William Charles Lunalilo Trust Estate.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Blue Ribbon Reconciliation Commission; Native Hawaiians