RELATING TO FLAGS.

SB1580

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1580

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to flags
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that the State
recognized the National League of Families' POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in
action) flag as an official state recognized flag in 2010 to acknowledge the
commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still
prisoner, missing, and unaccounted for.

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The
legislature further finds that recognizing and acknowledging members of the
community, their sacrifices, struggles, and successes can serve as a powerful
reminder and symbol of societal values and collective memory and lessons
learned to inform future generations.

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The
legislature further finds that the honor and remember flag recognizes those
whose lives have been lost while serving in the armed forces on behalf of their
country.
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It is a symbol and reminder to
society of the high cost of liberty, and the gratitude and respect deserved by
so many who have laid down their lives to secure it.
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While there are many flags representing
service to the United States, the honor and remember flag represents those who
have made the ultimate sacrifice on its behalf.

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The
legislature also finds that the pride flag serves as a beacon of visibility,
solidarity, and celebration of love and identity.
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The pride flag represents diversity,
inclusion, the fight for equality and human rights, and is a symbol of both the
challenges the LGBTQ+ community has faced and the progress society continues to
make toward building a more perfect union that fulfills our nation's promise of
equality and justice for all.
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While
there are many variations of the pride flag addressing different kinds of
diversity, the traditional six‑color pride flag has represented these
core values for over forty years and serves to encompass them all.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to allow the honor and remember flag and pride flag
to be flown with the United States and Hawaiian flags at the state capitol and
on certain state grounds on specified days.

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SECTION

2
.
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Section 5-18.5,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

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"
[
[
]�
5-18.5[
]
]
�
[
POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in
action) flag; recognition; use.
]
Official state recognized flags.
�
(a)
�
The
State recognizes the National League of Families' POW/MIA (prisoner of
war/missing in action) flag that was recognized by the United States Congress
through P. L. 101‑355 on August 10, 1990.

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[
(b)
]
�
The National League of Families' POW/MIA
(prisoner of war/missing in action) flag shall be flown on the grounds of the
state capitol and on the grounds of the headquarters of the state department of
defense on the following days:

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(1)
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Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in
May;

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(2)
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Memorial Day, the last Monday in May;

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(3)
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Flag Day, June 14;

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(4)
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Independence Day, July 4;

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(5)
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National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the
third Friday in September; and

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(6)
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Veterans Day, November 11,

and may be
flown on the grounds of the state capitol and on the grounds of the
headquarters of the state department of defense on other days; provided that if
the Hawaiian flag is flown on the same halyard as the flag of the United States
of America at those locations, then the POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in
action) flag may be flown under the flag of the State of Hawaii, and if the
Hawaiian flag is flown on a separate halyard as the flag of the United States
of America at those locations, then the POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in
action) flag may be flown under the flag of the United States of America.

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(b)
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The State recognizes the honor and remember
flag that has been designated by twenty-eight states to recognize armed service
members who have died as a result of serving the United States in war or
conflict.

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The
honor and remember flag shall be flown on the grounds of the state capitol and
on the grounds of the headquarters of the state department of defense on the
following days:

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(1)
�
Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday
in May;

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(2)
�
Memorial Day, the last Monday in
May;

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(3)
�
Flag Day, June 14;

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(4)
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Independence Day, July 4;

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(5)
�
National POW/MIA Recognition Day,
the third Friday in September; and

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(6)
�
Veterans Day, November 11,

and may
be flown on the grounds of the state capitol and on the grounds of the
headquarters of the state department of defense on other days; provided that if
the Hawaiian flag is flown on the same halyard as the flag of the United States
of America at those locations, then the honor and remember flag may be flown
under the flag of the State of Hawaii, and if the Hawaiian flag is flown on a
separate halyard as the flag of the United States of America at those
locations, then the honor and remember flag may be flown under the flag of the
United States of America.

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(c)
�
The State recognizes the striped six-color
red, orange, green, blue, and violet rainbow "pride flag" to
recognize diversity, inclusion, and equality and justice for all.

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The pride flag shall be flown on the
grounds of the state capitol during pride month, on dates to be designated by
the Hawaii state lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus commission
established pursuant to section 369-3 and may be flown on the grounds of the
state capitol and on the grounds of other state facilities on other days;
provided that if the Hawaiian flag is flown on the same halyard as the flag of
the United States of America at those locations, then the pride flag may be
flown under the flag of the State of Hawaii, and if the Hawaiian flag is flown
on a separate halyard as the flag of the United States of America at those
locations, then the pride flag may be flown under the flag of the United States
of America.
"

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SECTION 3.
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Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION
4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its
approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Flags;
Honor and Remember Flag; Pride Flag

Description:

Requires the honor and remember flag and pride flag to be
flown with the United States and Hawaiian flags on specified days.

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