Summary — HCR 141 (HD1): Working Group to Study Feasibility of a Hawaii Cultural Trust
Status: Concurrent resolution (HCR 141 HD1) — Reported from CAA as amended in HD1, recommending referral to FIN. Introduced April 23, 2025. Companion: HR 135.
Purpose
HCR 141 requests the formation of a legislative working group to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust. The intent is to evaluate whether a dedicated trust could provide sustainable, long‑term funding and governance to preserve and promote Hawaii’s cultural resources, including indigenous traditions, historic sites, arts organizations, and cultural institutions.
Key provisions
- Requests establishment of a working group (non‑binding request; the resolution does not itself create a trust or authorize spending).
- Directs the working group to examine potential structures, funding mechanisms, governance models, and legal/administrative frameworks for a Hawaii Cultural Trust.
- Asks the group to draft recommendations for legislative action, including any proposed legislation establishing a trust.
- Requires submission of a final report and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.
Working group composition (members and invited participants)
Members (requested):
- House committee chair with primary jurisdiction over culture & the arts (co‑chair for convening)
- Senate committee chair with primary jurisdiction over culture & the arts (co‑chair for convening)
- Director, Business, Economic Development & Tourism (or designee)
- Director, State Foundation on Culture & the Arts (or designee)
- CEO, Office of Hawaiian Affairs (or designee)
- Interim President & CEO, Hawaii Tourism Authority (or designee)
- (In HD1 addition) Chair, Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission (or designee)
Invited participants (requested to be invited):
- Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities
- A Native Hawaiian cultural organization
- A nonprofit cultural or arts organization
- A university or research institution specializing in cultural policy or arts administration
- Any additional members the working group deems necessary
Study scope / tasks
The working group is asked, at minimum, to:
- Identify potential funding sources (public, private, philanthropic)
- Explore tax incentives and fiscal strategies to encourage donations
- Evaluate impacts on cultural institutions, arts communities, tourism, education, and indigenous cultural preservation
- Assess administrative, legal, and governance frameworks needed to implement and maintain a trust
- Produce recommended legislative language if appropriate
Who would be affected
- Cultural and arts organizations across Hawaii (including Native Hawaiian cultural institutions)
- State agencies involved in culture, tourism, and economic development
- Philanthropic donors and potentially taxpayers (if tax incentives or public contributions are recommended)
- Communities dependent on cultural heritage for education, wellbeing, and tourism
Timeline & procedural notes
- The working group’s report (with findings and any draft legislation) is due no later than 20 days before the Regular Session of 2026.
- As a concurrent resolution, HCR 141 HD1 is a legislative request to create a study group; it does not itself establish a trust, authorize funding, or create binding law.
- Reported from the Committee on Culture and the Arts (CAA) as amended in HD1 and recommended for referral to the Committee on Finance.
