Do you want to encourage your legislators to support the arts in Hawaiʻi?

Positive action

Ask for a public hearing of measures you support! After bills have been introduced, they need to be scheduled for hearings. Many bills never get a single public hearing, and “die in committee”. If you support a bill, you can ask the chair(s) of the committee(s) that the bills are in to schedule them for a hearing.

The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is in support of these bills as of February 3, 2025*:

• HB1378 / SB1577 Relating to the SFCA: Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Allows the use of moneys from the Works of Art Special Fund for performing arts. Appropriates funds to provide grants under the Performing Arts Grants Program.
  • House Committee on Culture & Arts (CAA)
    • Chair: Rep. Jeanne Kapela
    • Vice Chair: Rep. Sam Satoru Kong
  • House Committee on Finance (FIN)
    • Chair: Rep. Kyle Yamashita
    • Vice Chair: Rep. Jenna Takenouchi
• SB1581 Hawaii-Japan Pacific Peace Monument: Establishes a Hawaii-Japan Pacific Peace Monument to be developed by the State Foundation on Culture and appropriate stakeholders representing Hawaii and Japan. Appropriates funds.
  • Senate Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts (TCA)
    • Chair: Senator Chris Lee
    • Vice Chair: Senator Lorraine R. Inouye
  • Senate Committee on Ways and Means (WAM)
    • Chair: Senator Donavan Dela Cruz
    • Vice Chair: Senator Sharon Y. Moriwaki

*Please note that support/oppose/comment positions have not yet been determined by SFCA leadership on all measures introduced for this session. Updates will be provided by the SFCA and the Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance, a nonprofit arts advocacy group.

Learn more from the Public Access Room

Learn more about how to communicate with legislators from the Public Access Room, a free, non-partisan resource at the State Capitol: lrb.hawaii.gov/par/use-your-voice-at-the-legislature.

Printable version of this post: 02-03-2025 support the arts (PDF)