Committee advances bill to designate Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea as state holiday in place of Statehood Day
February 14, 2026 | House Committee on Human Services, House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii
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The House Committee on Culture and the Arts on Feb. 13 voted to pass HB 2045, which would designate Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day) as a state holiday in place of Statehood Day, adopting the chair’s recommendation with an amendment to adjust the holiday date.
Supporters, including Native Hawaiian community members, educators and multiple students, told the committee the change would better reflect Hawaiian history and identity. "Statehood Day asks the people of Hawaii to celebrate a political event that sought to erase us," said Kupu Aleaia Naulani Mokakawa, testifying in support. She described Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea as marking the 1843 restoration of the Hawaiian kingdom to King Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) and said replacing Statehood Day would align public recognition with historical truth.
Students from Kuaʻākula Public Charter School and Waimea Middle School also testified in favor, saying the change would uplift Native Hawaiian history, culture and self-determination. Kumu Siale, a teacher at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, said the designation would be a "super significant day in Hawaiian history."
Chair remarks before the vote thanked student witnesses and said the committee would move the measure forward with one amendment described during the session as an adjustment to the date. Representative Reza, identifying herself as one of the House's Native Hawaiian legislators, said she would vote yes.
The vice chair called the roll; the chair and vice chair registered “aye,” and several representatives on the record — including Derrick, Sayama and Julie Raizona — responded “aye.” The committee noted the excused absence of Representative Kang. With that record, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass HB 2045 with amendments.
The committee’s action places the measure to the next step in the legislative process. The record before the committee included testimony from organizations and roughly three dozen individuals in support.
Supporters, including Native Hawaiian community members, educators and multiple students, told the committee the change would better reflect Hawaiian history and identity. "Statehood Day asks the people of Hawaii to celebrate a political event that sought to erase us," said Kupu Aleaia Naulani Mokakawa, testifying in support. She described Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea as marking the 1843 restoration of the Hawaiian kingdom to King Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) and said replacing Statehood Day would align public recognition with historical truth.
Students from Kuaʻākula Public Charter School and Waimea Middle School also testified in favor, saying the change would uplift Native Hawaiian history, culture and self-determination. Kumu Siale, a teacher at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, said the designation would be a "super significant day in Hawaiian history."
Chair remarks before the vote thanked student witnesses and said the committee would move the measure forward with one amendment described during the session as an adjustment to the date. Representative Reza, identifying herself as one of the House's Native Hawaiian legislators, said she would vote yes.
The vice chair called the roll; the chair and vice chair registered “aye,” and several representatives on the record — including Derrick, Sayama and Julie Raizona — responded “aye.” The committee noted the excused absence of Representative Kang. With that record, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass HB 2045 with amendments.
The committee’s action places the measure to the next step in the legislative process. The record before the committee included testimony from organizations and roughly three dozen individuals in support.
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