HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	148
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

RequestING THAT the Hawaii State legislature declare ‘awa as the official beverage of the aloha state.

 

 

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii has designated a state song, flower, gem, tree, land mammal, marine mammal, fish, dance, insect, sport, team sport, and instrument; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has not designated a state beverage even though more than half of the states in the United States have official beverages; and

 

     WHEREAS, the beverage that is designated the official beverage of Hawaii should be one that can serve as an expression of appreciation for the significance of that beverage in the Hawaiian culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, the plant roots of Piper methysticum have been used to make the beverage, ‘awa, in Hawaii prior to European contact with Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, the best state for cultivating Piper methysticum is Hawaii due to the State's sunny, humid conditions, and year- round warm temperatures; and

 

     WHEREAS, the residents of this State, including the kanaka maoli, Hawaii's indigenous peoples, recognize ‘awa as an important traditional and cultural beverage; and

 

     WHEREAS, drinking ‘awa promotes aloha by eliciting a feeling of relaxed contentedness and aids in discussion and conflict resolution; and

 

     WHEREAS, ‘awa symbolizes the environmental, social, and cultural values important to Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is time to formally recognize ‘awa's historical and cultural significance to the State and its peoples; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, the Senate concurring, that the Hawaii State Legislature is requested to declare ‘awa to be the official beverage of the Aloha State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Designates ‘awa as the official beverage of the Aloha State.