HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1396

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

 

C.D. 1

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE JAPANESE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN HAWAII.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a Nisei Veterans Legacy Center would preserve, perpetuate, and share the legacy of the Americans of Japanese ancestry who served in the United States armed forces in World War II.  Such a center would provide research and educational programs, outreach efforts, and displays for residents and visitors.  The establishment of a Nisei Veterans Legacy Center would create a facility dedicated to researching, preserving, and interpreting the history of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion to develop deeper understandings of their unique place in Hawaiian, American, and global history.

     A Nisei Veterans Legacy Center would curate materials and artifacts to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of the Nisei soldiers of World War II who fought loyally and valiantly against the Axis powers on the European and Pacific battlefields, while having to combat distrust, racial prejudice, and discrimination at home.  A Nisei Veterans Legacy Center would examine race, loyalty, citizenship, and "Americanism" against the backdrop of martial law, internment, and the fragility of civil liberties and civil rights during that era, and demonstrate how the Nisei soldiers' battlefield experiences and sacrifices contributed to political leadership, social movements, and social transformation in Hawaii and the United States.

     Locating a Nisei Veterans Legacy Center in West Oahu would complement academic and research programs offered at the University of Hawaii, such as the Center for Labor Education and Research's Labor Archives and the Henry Giugni film collection.

     The purpose of this Act is to make appropriations for the planning and design of a center in West Oahu that would incorporate a Nisei Veterans Legacy Center.  The legislature intends for a matching source of private or public funds to be secured prior to the release of the appropriations.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 for the planning and design of a Nisei Veterans Legacy Center.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii at West Oahu for the purposes of this Act; provided that no moneys shall be expended unless matched by grants or donations from public or private sources.

     For the purposes of this Act, the value of in-kind donations from private sources may be included for the purpose of calculating the amount of matching funds.

     SECTION 3.  The University of Hawaii at West Oahu shall report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014 on the status of the Nisei Veterans Legacy Center, which shall include a report on the status of grants or donations from public or private sources.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.



 

Report Title:

Japanese American Experience in Hawaii; Nisei Veterans Legacy Center; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the planning and design of the Nisei Veterans Legacy Center, subject to matching funds.  Requires a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.  Effective July 1, 2013.  (HB1396 CD1)

 

 

 

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