URGING THE STATE TO ACQUIRE THE HAWAII THEATRE TO PROMOTE LOCAL CULTURE AND ARTS, PRESERVE ITS HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND FACILITATE ITS CONTINUED PUBLIC USE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Daniel Holt

Urges Hawai‘i to acquire the Hawaii Theatre to protect its historic/cultural significance and keep it open for public use, boosting local arts; non-binding.

Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1550), recommending referral to FIN.

#acquire #cultureandarts #hawaiitheatre #preservation #publicuse

Summary — HCR 127 (2025)

Title: Urging the State to acquire the Hawaii Theatre to promote local culture and arts, preserve its historic and cultural significance, and facilitate its continued public use.
Bill type: Concurrent resolution
Primary sponsor: Representative Holt
Companion: HR 123 (companion)
Subjects: Acquire; Culture and Arts; Hawaii Theatre; Preservation; Public Use
Introduced: April 2, 2025

Main purpose

HCR 127 expresses the Legislature’s intent and urges the State of Hawai‘i to acquire the Hawaii Theatre (a historic performance venue) in order to:
- promote local culture and the arts;
- preserve the theatre’s historic and cultural significance; and
- ensure the facility remains available for continued public use.

As a concurrent resolution, HCR 127 is a non‑binding expression of legislative sentiment rather than a law or an appropriation.

Key provisions

Formally urges the State to pursue acquisition of the Hawaii Theatre for cultural, historic preservation, and public‑use purposes.

Encourages state involvement to protect the theatre’s legacy and to support local artists and cultural programming.

Does not itself appropriate funds, create duties for specific agencies, or mandate acquisition steps; any acquisition would require subsequent executive/legislative actions (e.g., negotiations, appropriation of funds, or legislation authorizing purchase).

Who would be affected

Hawaii Theatre (owner/operators) and their stakeholders.

Local arts organizations, cultural practitioners, performance presenters, and audiences who use the venue.

State agencies and officials if they act on the urging — potentially those involved in property acquisition, historic preservation, cultural affairs, or facility management.

Taxpayers and the State budget only if the State elects to pursue acquisition and funds are later appropriated.

Procedural status and timeline (selected actions)

Referred to CAA (Committee on Culture and the Arts) and FIN (Finance); recommended by CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1550).

CAA reported the measure passed, unamended (3/19/2025).

Adopted by the Legislature (House and Senate: May 19–26, 2025).

Sent to the Governor (May 28, 2025); signed by the Governor (June 20, 2025).

Potential impact and next steps

Because HCR 127 is an urging resolution, its immediate effect is to signal legislative support for state acquisition and preservation of the Hawaii Theatre. Practical steps that would follow only if the executive branch and/or the Legislature act include:
- property negotiations and due diligence;
- appropriation of acquisition and capital/operating funds (if needed);
- assignment of a state agency or partnership entity to manage the property; and
- compliance with historic‑preservation requirements.

If pursued, acquisition could secure long‑term public access to a cultural landmark and support local arts programming, but it would also create fiscal and operational responsibilities for the State.