Requesting The Hawaii Council For The Humanities, State Foundation On Culture And The Arts, And The Hawaii State Public Library System To Collaborate For The Establishment Of A Hawaii State Poet Laureate Program.
If implemented, the Hawaii State Poet Laureate Program would encompass several initiatives, including the periodic appointment of a poet laureate to represent Hawaii’s literary community. The program is designed to enhance the appreciation of poetry through workshops aimed at students and community members, thereby fostering a greater literary culture in Hawaii. It also emphasizes the importance of storytelling and the arts as a means to strengthen civic engagement and empathy within the community, supporting Hawaii’s commitment to cultural preservation.
SCR83 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting collaboration among the Hawaii Council for the Humanities, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the Hawaii State Public Library System to establish a Hawaii State Poet Laureate Program. The intent of this program is to nurture Hawaii’s rich and diverse cultural heritage through literature and poetry, which represent the customs and traditions of Native Hawaiians and various communities in Hawaii. By promoting poetry, the bill seeks to encourage dialogue, pride, and understanding among different cultures within the state.
While the resolution passed unanimously in the House Finance Committee with a vote of 11-0 on April 21, 2022, discussions around its implementation are likely to raise questions regarding funding and resource allocation. Critics may argue about the prioritization of arts and humanities in state budgets against other pressing needs. However, proponents emphasize the benefits of the arts in enhancing community cohesion and identity, suggesting that investment in such programs is vital for cultural enrichment and educational engagement.