HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
191 |
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII TO CREATE A KAMA'AINA HOMECOMING COMMISSION FOR OUR EXPATRIaTeS.
WHEREAS, the Hawaiian word KamaꞋaina means a person who is native born, or who has lived in Hawaii for some time; and
WHEREAS, there are many residents from Hawaii that are living overseas, particularly native Hawaiians; and
WHEREAS, those people that are living overseas reminisce about the beauty and aloha that is Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, we have never formally welcomed any of our expatriate citizens home; and
WHEREAS, other nations have programs that attract and encourage their former residents to return and visit, such as the Balikbayan program administered by the Philippine Tourism Department and the Congress of Indonesian Diaspora events in Indonesia; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii has a unique opportunity to bring back our expatriates to formally recognize their personal, professional, economic and educational achievements, and allow them to share their know-how and success stories with others; and
WHEREAS, this is a prime opportunity to take advantage of Hawaii's "brain drain" and turn it into a "brain gain" for Hawaii's economy; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate Concurring, that the Governor is respectfully requested to create a Kama'aina Homecoming Commission for the planning and organization of a large-scale reunion event, and that the event is requested to be held every five years in the State with a formal welcoming ceremony by the Governor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission is requested to consider inviting as the honorary chair and/or keynote speaker of the event, Bruno Mars, who is an immensely popular singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and choreographer, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission is requested to consider inviting the participation of other notable former and current Hawaii residents, such as: Daniel Dae Kim, star of "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-0"; Michelle Wie, pro golfer and athlete; Steve Case, business leader and former head of America Online; Tom Selleck, star of "Magnum P.I."; Tia Carrere, model, singer, and film star; and Nicole Kidman, recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actress; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Kama'aina Homecoming Commission