URGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO RECOGNIZE AND AFFIRM THE EXEMPTION OF CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT AND CUSTOMARY GIFTS FROM GIFT RESTRICTIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER CHAPTER 84, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

SCR26

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

26

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

sUPPORTING the native hawaiian
intellectual property working group's request for resources and timeline
extension for fiscal year 2026-202
7
.

����
WHEREAS, the
State has a unique constitutional mandate under Article XII, Section 7, Hawaii
State Constitution to protect and preserve the rights of Native Hawaiians,
including cultural and traditional rights, making the preservation of Native
Hawaiian intellectual property a responsibility of the State; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group (Working Group) was
established by H.C.R. No. 108, H.D. 1, S.D. 1 (2023), to address the
complexities of protecting Native Hawaiian intellectual property, with a
composition that includes representatives from respected Native Hawaiian
organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Foundation on
Culture and the Arts, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Ka Huli Ao Center for
Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, K
āhuli
Leo Le
ʻ
a,
ʻ
Ihikapalaumaewa
Foundation, Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, and Association of
Hawaiian Civic Clubs
; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Working Group was tasked with creating and developing solutions to prevent
Native Hawaiian intellectual property from being incorrectly appropriated and was
requested to submit its recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to
the Legislature no later than forty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2025; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Working Group requires additional time and resources to conduct culturally
appropriate community consultations, which are critical for ensuring that
solutions reflect the collective aspirations, insights, and concerns of Native
Hawaiians; and

����
WHEREAS, extending
resources to the Working Group aligns with the State's commitment to
reconciliation and justice for Native Hawaiian people by actively supporting
their self‑determination and control over cultural assets; and

����
WHEREAS, studies
have shown that indigenous communities that retain control over their cultural
resources experience greater economic stability, community resilience, and
cultural vibrancy, all of which are essential to the well-being of Native
Hawaiian communities; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State's economy benefits from Hawaiian culture as a central part of its tourism
industry, with $5,600,000,000 in gross domestic product deriving from Hawaii's
creative industries, making it imperative to preserve the integrity of Native Hawaiian
intellectual property to ensure cultural authenticity and respect; and

����
WHEREAS, this
body acknowledges the importance of the Working Group's mission and the
complexity of their work, which requires sufficient time and resources to
ensure thorough and meaningful outcomes for the Native Hawaiian community; now,
therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that this
body supports the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request
for resources and timeline extension for fiscal year 2026-2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Chairperson of the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Native
Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group; Request