STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3679

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 109

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 109, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PLANNED COMMEMORATION OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FUKUOKA AND HAWAII SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the planned celebrations in Fukuoka in May and September 2006 commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fukuoka and Hawaii sister-state relationship.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai, and one individual.

The idea to establish a sister-state relationship between Fukuoka Prefecture and Hawaii began at the Fifteenth Japan-American Conference of Mayors and Chamber of Commerce Presidents in 1980. One year later, the sister-state relationship was created, which also initiated a direct international air route between Fukuoka and Honolulu. This sister-state relationship has established a series of mutually beneficial programs over the years including yearly visits by Fukuoka Assembly Members to the opening day of the Hawaii Legislature, school visits and exchange programs, annual high school fishing vessel visits, and regular participation from Fukuoka groups in the two annual Japan festivals and parades in Waikiki. There are two events currently being planned in Fukuoka to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fukuoka and Hawaii sister-state relationship. The event planned for in May 2006 will be in conjunction with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Trade Exposition, and the other in September 2006 will be in conjunction with an educational and cultural visit by Nainoa Thompson and the Hawaii Board of Education.

Your Committees find that the sister-state relationship between Fukuoka and Hawaii has played a key role in promoting and maintaining business, tourism, and educational opportunities in Hawaii as well as enhancing the cultural understanding and appreciation between the two. It is important to continue this sister-state relationship; thus, your Committees strongly encourage legislative support of the planned 2006 commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fukuoka and Hawaii sister-state relationship.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Adding 2006 to the title to clarify that the twenty-fifth anniversary commemoration is planned for this year;

(2) Adding the event planned for in September 2006 in addition to the May 2006 event to clarify that there will be two events that will each celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 109, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 109, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair