RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER TWENTY-EIGHTH AS HAWAII GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY.

HR53

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

53

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Recognizing SEPTEMBER twenty-eighth as hawaii good
neighbor day
.

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WHEREAS, Good
Neighbor Day was created in the early 1970s by Becky Mattson of Lakeside,
Montana; and

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WHEREAS, in
1978, United States President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601 recognizing
September twenty-fourth as National Good Neighbor Day; and

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WHEREAS, in
2003, National Good Neighbor Day was changed from the fourth Sunday in
September to September twenty-eighth; and

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WHEREAS, the
purpose of this special day was to reverse the epidemic of loneliness in the
country; and

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WHEREAS, strong
social organization and community ties are associated with lower crime rates in
neighborhood; and

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WHEREAS, a
Good Neighbor initiative is built on Asset-Based Community Development
Principals; and

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WHEREAS, we
cement the bonds of the nation and our world through building cohesive families
and communities; and

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WHEREAS, community
development is driven by the existing gifts of the community, which are often
hidden and need to be uncovered; and

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WHEREAS, the
assets already found in the community mobilize people to come together to build
on their gifts; and

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WHEREAS,
everyone in a community has something to offer and all are needed and valued;
and

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WHEREAS, an
intentional effort to build and nourish relationships is the core of
Asset-Based Community Development and all community-building; and

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WHEREAS,
cities across the nation celebrate Good Neighbor Day attracting hundreds to
creative and meaningful events to reinforce the power for connection; and

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WHEREAS, San
Fransico has launched the city's first ever Good Neighbor Week accompanied by a
city-wide proclamation, Good Neighbor awards, local block parties, and a
digital community bulletin board; and

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WHEREAS,
Boston hosted various neighborly acts such as Bingo events, Nominate-a-Neighbor
Certificates, and community clean-ups; and

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WHEREAS,
Phoenix focused their National Good Neighbor Day on grassroot engagement,
emphasizing front yard events and neighbor-led gatherings, which allowed
neighbors to take the lead in shaping their communities; and

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WHEREAS,
other major cities have organized various events such as scavenger hunts, days
of kindness, and citizen-led informal get-togethers; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that September twenty-eighth is
recognized as Hawaii Good Neighbor Day where Hawaii residents are encouraged to
host and engage in meaningful and connection-building community events; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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Hawaii
Good Neighbor Day; Community Engagement; Proclamation 4601.