HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. NO. 135 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE HAWAII'S CULTURAL RESOURCES.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. NO. 135
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.R. NO.
135
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE HAWAII'S CULTURAL RESOURCES.
WHEREAS, Hawaii is home to a rich cultural heritage that includes indigenous traditions, historical landmarks, diverse artistic expressions, and significant cultural institutions; and WHEREAS, sustained investment in cultural preservation, heritage, and the arts supports economic growth, education, tourism, and the overall well-being of the people of Hawaii; and WHEREAS, various states have successful cultural trusts that could be used as models for sustainable funding of cultural organizations by leveraging donations and tax incentives to support arts and heritage programs; and WHEREAS, establishing a Hawaii Cultural Trust could enhance financial sustainability for cultural institutions and the arts to provide long-term support for the preservation and promotion of Hawaii's cultural resources; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that a working group is requested to be established to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust to preserve and promote Hawaii's cultural resources; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members: (1) The chairperson of the House of Representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over culture and the arts, who is requested to serve as co-chairperson of the working group for the purposes of convening the working group; (2) The chairperson of the Senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over culture and the arts, who is requested to serve as co-chairperson of the working group for the purposes of convening the working group; (3) The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or the Director's designee; (4) The Director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, or the Director's designee; (5) The Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee; (6) The Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, or the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer's designee; and (7) The chairperson of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, or the chairperson's designee; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to invite a representative or the representative's designee from the following organizations to participate in the working group: (1) The Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities; (2) A Native Hawaiian cultural organization; (3) A nonprofit cultural or arts organization; (4) A university or research institution specializing in cultural policy or arts administration; and (5) Any other members as deemed necessary by the working group to ensure a comprehensive study; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to examine the potential structure, funding mechanisms, and governance models for a cultural trust in Hawaii, including but not limited to: (1) Identifying potential sources of funding, including public, private, and philanthropic contributions; (2) Exploring tax incentives and other fiscal strategies to encourage donations; (3) Evaluating the impact such a trust could have on Hawaii's cultural institutions, the arts, and communities; (4) Assessing any administrative and legal frameworks necessary to implement and maintain a cultural trust; and (5) Drafting recommendations for legislative action, including proposed legislation establishing the Hawaii Cultural Trust; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chairperson of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission; and Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities.
WHEREAS, Hawaii is home to a rich cultural heritage that includes indigenous traditions, historical landmarks, diverse artistic expressions, and significant cultural institutions; and
WHEREAS, sustained investment in cultural preservation, heritage, and the arts supports economic growth, education, tourism, and the overall well-being of the people of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, various states have successful cultural trusts that could be used as models for sustainable funding of cultural organizations by leveraging donations and tax incentives to support arts and heritage programs; and
WHEREAS, establishing a Hawaii Cultural Trust could enhance financial sustainability for cultural institutions and the arts to provide long-term support for the preservation and promotion of Hawaii's cultural resources; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that a working group is requested to be established to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust to preserve and promote Hawaii's cultural resources; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members:
(1) The chairperson of the House of Representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over culture and the arts, who is requested to serve as co-chairperson of the working group for the purposes of convening the working group;
(2) The chairperson of the Senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over culture and the arts, who is requested to serve as co-chairperson of the working group for the purposes of convening the working group;
(3) The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or the Director's designee;
(4) The Director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, or the Director's designee;
(5) The Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee;
(6) The Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, or the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer's designee; and
(7) The chairperson of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, or the chairperson's designee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to invite a representative or the representative's designee from the following organizations to participate in the working group:
(1) The Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities;
(2) A Native Hawaiian cultural organization;
(3) A nonprofit cultural or arts organization;
(4) A university or research institution specializing in cultural policy or arts administration; and
(5) Any other members as deemed necessary by the working group to ensure a comprehensive study; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to examine the potential structure, funding mechanisms, and governance models for a cultural trust in Hawaii, including but not limited to:
(1) Identifying potential sources of funding, including public, private, and philanthropic contributions;
(2) Exploring tax incentives and other fiscal strategies to encourage donations;
(3) Evaluating the impact such a trust could have on Hawaii's cultural institutions, the arts, and communities;
(4) Assessing any administrative and legal frameworks necessary to implement and maintain a cultural trust; and
(5) Drafting recommendations for legislative action, including proposed legislation establishing the Hawaii Cultural Trust; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chairperson of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission; and Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities.
Report Title: Working Group; Hawaii Cultural Trust; Cultural Preservation; Study
Report Title:
Working Group; Hawaii Cultural Trust; Cultural Preservation; Study