STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1389

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.R. No. 147

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 147 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to preserve and maintain the Hawaiian culture by urging the Legislature to support the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Three concerned individuals testified in support of this resolution.

Among other things, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms that indigenous peoples:

(1) Are free and equal to all other individuals in dignity and rights;

(2) Have the right to self-determination;

(3) Have the right to practice and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs; and

(4) Have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual and material relationship with the lands, waters, coastal seas, and other resources.

Your Committee has amended this resolution by:

(1) Changing the title to read:

ADOPTING THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES;

(2) Re-phrasing the BE IT RESOLVED clause to state that this body adopts and affirms the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style and clarity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 147, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 147, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

 

____________________________

SCOTT K. SAIKI, Chair