HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

397

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to the Kamehameha Statues.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  In 1878, the legislature of the Kingdom of Hawaii commissioned a sculpture of King Kamehameha the Great, which was fashioned and cast in Italy and France.  Unfortunately, the statue was lost at sea when the ship transporting it to Hawaii sank.  A second statue was then commissioned, cast, and delivered to Hawaii.  In 1882, the original statue that was thought lost at sea was unexpectedly salvaged and brought to Hawaii by a British captain.  The original statue presently stands in Kapaau in North Kohala on the island of Hawaii, the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, and the replica statue stands in Honolulu in front of Aliiolani Hale, which served as the Kingdom of Hawaii's primary government office building.

     Due to the age of the statues and the damage that the original statue sustained while submerged in the ocean, painting and other maintenance of the statues have been essential to maintain the statues over the last century.  Under the guidance of professional sculptors, the statues are repainted every seven to ten years.  In addition, due to the State's climate, the statues are affected by "bronze disease", a form of rapid corrosion induced by chlorides that come from the salt water of the ocean that can be very destructive if left untreated.  Bronze disease not only causes the paint on the statues to deteriorate, but also causes cracks in the structure of the statues themselves.  It is important that the statues receive proper care in order to ensure that the statues are preserved for our community, visitors, and future generations to enjoy.

     The legislature finds that, although the replica statue in Honolulu stands on state property and is already under the care of the State, the original King Kamehameha I statue in Kapaau stands on county land and is not actively maintained by either the State or the county of Hawaii.  Fortunately, the North Kohala community has annually raised funds to maintain the statue.  The legislature recognizes the efforts of the North Kohala community, but believes that maintenance of the statue is a matter of statewide concern and that it is appropriate that the North Kohala statue be maintained by the State.  The statue in North Kohala was legislatively commissioned, and is thus the property of the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of accounting and general services to maintain, preserve, and protect both statues of King Kamehameha I.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§6E-     King Kamehameha I statues.  The department of accounting and general services shall maintain, preserve, and protect the King Kamehameha I statue located in Kapaau in North Kohala and the statue located at Aliiolani Hale in Honolulu."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the maintenance, preservation, and protection of the King Kamehameha I statues located in Kapaau in North Kohala and Aliiolani Hale in Honolulu.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Historic Preservation; King Kamehameha the Great; Statues; Appropriations

 

Description:

Requires DAGS to maintain, preserve, and protect the statue of King Kamehameha the Great located in Kapaau, as well as its replica in Honolulu.  Makes appropriations.

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.