REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A STATE OF HAWAII COMMEMORATIVE VIETNAM VETERANS MEDAL.

HCR40

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

40

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the Department of DEFENSE to convene a working
group to develop recommendations for a state of hawaii commemorative vietnam
veterans medal
.

����
WHEREAS,
Hawaii had a proud history of military service to the United States even before
achieving statehood, such as during the American Civil War in which over one
hundred Native Hawaiian and Hawaii-born residents fought; and

����
WHEREAS,
Hawaii's proud history of military service went on to include the participation
of Native Hawaiian and Hawaii-born residents in World War One, World War Two,
the Korean War, and subsequent wars through the present; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State has a deep connection to the Vietnam War with over two hundred
seventy-five local service members memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in Washington, D.C.; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State actively honors its veterans through traveling memorials, dedicated
parades, and veteran-led organizations; and

����
WHEREAS, The
Wall That Heals, a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., visited the University of Hawaii West
Oahu campus in January 2026; and

����
WHEREAS, National
Vietnam War Veterans Day is celebrated on March 29 of each year and often
features a parade in Waikiki; and

����
WHEREAS, local
veterans are periodically honored with all expenses paid "Honor Flights"
to Washington, D.C. through support from the Hawaiian Islands Honor Flight
organization; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State is home to active chapters of the Vietnam Veterans of America, such as
Oahu Chapter 858, that meet monthly at the Oahu Veterans Center and participate
in ceremonies at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Department
of Defense is requested to convene a working group to develop recommendations
for a State of Hawaii commemorative Vietnam Veterans Medal; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include the following:

����
(1)
�
The Adjutant General, or the Adjutant
General's designee, who is requested to serve as chairperson of the working
group;

����
(2)
�
The Director of the Joint Staff of the Hawaii
National Guard, or the Director's designee;

����
(3)
�
The Director of the Office of Veterans'
Services, or the Director's designee;

����
(4)
�
One member representing Vietnam Veterans of
America Chapter 858, to be invited by the chairperson;

����
(5)
�
One member representing Vietnam Veterans of
America Chapter 1139, to be invited by the chairperson;

����
(6)
�
One member representing Vietnam Veterans of
Maui County, to be invited by the chairperson;

����
(7)
�
One member representing Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 3830, to be invited by the chairperson; and

����
(8)
�
Other members representing Hawaii veterans'
organizations, retired military and defense leaders, and other interested
participants, to be invited by the chairperson; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to develop eligibility criteria
and verification steps, recommend an application process, and propose design
recommendations for a State of Hawaii Commemorative Vietnam Veterans Medal to
be awarded to Vietnam Veterans living in Hawaii; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group, with the assistance of the Department of
Defense and based on data requested from State and federal defense agencies on
Hawaii‑Specific Vietnam Veterans, 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 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the report is requested to include any estimated costs related to
a State of Hawaii Commemorative Vietnam Veterans Medal, including but not
limited to costs for:

����
(1)
�
Informing veterans in the State;

����
(2)
�
Design and production; and

����
(3)
�
Award and implementation; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to be dissolved on June 30, 2028;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Adjutant General; Director of the Joint Staff of the Hawaii National Guard;
Director of the Office of Veterans' Services; President of Vietnam Veterans of
America, Chapter 858; President of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1139;
President of Vietnam Veterans of Maui County; and Commander-in-Chief of
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Vietnam
Veterans; Commemorative Medal; Working Group