Bill Text: HI HR137 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Resolution 137 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Kama'aina Homecoming Commission

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-03-14 - Referred to VMI, FIN, referral sheet 28 [HR137 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HR137-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	137
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII TO CREATE A KAMA'AINA HOMECOMING COMMISSION FOR OUR EXPATRIaTeS.

WHEREAS, the Hawaiian word KamaꞋaina means a person who is native born, or who has lived in Hawaii for some time; and

WHEREAS, there are many residents from Hawaii that are living overseas, particularly native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, those people that are living overseas reminisce about the beauty and aloha that is Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, we have never formally welcomed any of our expatriate citizens home; and

WHEREAS, other nations have programs that attract and encourage their former residents to return and visit, such as the Balikbayan program administered by the Philippine Tourism Department and the Congress of Indonesian Diaspora events in Indonesia; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has a unique opportunity to bring back our expatriates to formally recognize their personal, professional, economic and educational achievements, and allow them to share their know-how and success stories with others; and

WHEREAS, this is a prime opportunity to take advantage of Hawaii's "brain drain" and turn it into a "brain gain" for Hawaii's economy; 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 Governor is respectfully requested to create a Kama'aina Homecoming Commission for the planning and organization of a large-scale reunion event, and that the event is requested to be held every five years in the State with a formal welcoming ceremony by the Governor; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission is requested to consider inviting as the honorary chair and/or keynote speaker of the event, Bruno Mars, who is an immensely popular singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and choreographer, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission is requested to consider inviting the participation of other notable former and current Hawaii residents, such as: Daniel Dae Kim, star of "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-0"; Michelle Wie, pro golfer and athlete; Steve Case, business leader and former head of America Online; Tom Selleck, star of "Magnum P.I."; Tia Carrere, model, singer, and film star; and Nicole Kidman, recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actress; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.