HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

244

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting that a lo‘I BE ESTABLISHED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE STATE CAPITOL.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, kalo (colocasias esculenta), Hawaiian for taro, is considered sacred an is also a central part of Hawaiian genealogy and culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, a lo‘i, Hawaiian for taro paddy, is the traditional method of planting kalo; and

 

     WHEREAS, kalo is also an important source of food in Hawaiian culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State Capitol grounds are a gathering place for visitors as well as residents from across the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the architectural design of the State Capitol building symbolizes unique aspects of the State:  the eight columns along the front and back of the building represent the State's major islands, the sloping walls of the House of Representatives and Senate chambers represent volcanoes, and the columns rising out of the reflecting pools represent palm trees; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2007, the Legislature designated kalo as the State's official plant; and

 

     WHEREAS, despite its cultural importance and the abundance of other symbolic representations at the State Capitol building, kalo is not present; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the Senate concurring, that the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to oversee the establishment of a lo‘i on the grounds of the State Capitol; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Historic Preservation Division is requested to work with native Hawaiian preservation and education groups to ensure the success of the program by:

 

     (1)  Securing funds from private donations for the materials needed to establish the lo‘i;

 

     (2)  Allowing Onipa‘a Na Hui Kalo to provide the labor to establish and maintain the lo‘i; and

 

     (3)  Working with Oahu Hawaiian immersion and Hawaiian cultural focused charter schools to provide education, cultural activities, and research; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Historic Preservation Division is requested to submit a report to the Legislature of its progress no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2011; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the State Historic Preservation Officer, the Board of Directors of Onipa‘a Na Hui Kalo, and the Executive Director of the Charter School Administrative Office.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Capitol Grounds; Taro Cultivation