Bill Text: HI SB83 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Government.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [SB83 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB83-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
83 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that every state in the Union celebrates holidays unique to that state's history. Texas celebrates its own Texas Independence Day, a day honoring Texas' independence from Mexico's central government. Utah celebrates Pioneer Day, the day Brigham Young ventured to its territory. Alaska celebrates Seward's Day, when the purchase treaty between the United States and Russia was codified. The distinctive cultural and storied past of Hawaii has its own holidays that have been celebrated up through the Territory of Hawaii. Lā Kū‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, was widely celebrated with pride as Hawaii became an emerging power in the Pacific among the global powers of that time.
The history and culture of Hawaii are showcased around the world to tell the story of the archipelago. Hawaii's culture and native language are used to make areas, buildings, and communities relevant with a sense of place. Lā Kū‘oko‘a has long been a source of pride in Hawaii and in recent years has garnered a newfound energy in its celebration.
The legislature further finds that during the reign of Kamehameha III, Great Britain and France recognized the independence of the Hawaiian Kingdom by joint proclamation on November 28, 1843. The United States followed on July 6, 1844. These leading world powers recognized Hawaii as an independent nation state due to the diplomatic work of Timoteo Ha‘alilio, the first diplomat of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and his associate William Richards, who were sent as envoys of Kamehameha III to secure formal diplomatic relations with these countries.
Throughout the 1850s and 1870s, Hawaii celebrated
Lā Kū‘oko‘a
with luau, music, and marches. The
celebration grew under the reign of King Kalākaua, with formal
proclamations sent by official circular to the foreign diplomatic corps in
Hawaii and the Hawaiian Kingdom consuls abroad, informing them of the holiday.
The day remained a national holiday under
the Provisional Government of Hawaii (1893), the Republic of Hawaii (1894-1898),
and the initial years of the Territory of Hawaii. Lā Kū‘oko‘a was among the codified list of national holidays enacted by
the Republic of Hawaii in 1896 (Act 66).
The purpose of this Act is to establish
November 28 of each year as Lā Kū‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, to celebrate the historical
recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
SECTION 2. Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§8- La Ku‘oko‘a; Hawaiian Recognition Day. November 28 of each year shall be known and designated as La Ku‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, to celebrate the historical recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii. This day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday." SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Lā Kū‘oko‘a; Hawaiian Recognition Day
Description:
Designates November 28 of each year as Lā Kū‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, not constituting a state holiday, to celebrate the historical recognition of independence of the kingdom of Hawaii. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
