Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to the State and serve as inspirations to others. (HD1), the official text

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3022

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1.  The
legislature finds that the Aloha order of merit was established to recognize
individuals who have made significant contributions and achieved national or
international recognition in a field either by a single event or by a totality
of work that has been pioneering in that field or outstanding in the long term.
The legislature also finds that many
exceptional and notable individuals are deserving of recognition specifically
for their contributions to the State.  While the Aloha order of merit honors
individuals who have made national and international contributions and achieved
recognition, the legislature believes there should be a similar program to
honor individuals who have made their mark on the State.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish the Hawaii leadership awards program to honor individuals who have
made considerable and outstanding contributions to the State in their
respective fields and serve as inspirations to others.

SECTION 2.
Chapter 9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§9-   Hawaii leadership awards program.  (a)
There is established within the state archives for administrative
purposes the Hawaii leadership awards program to honor individuals who:

(1)  Have made considerable and
outstanding contributions to the State; and

(2)  Serve as an inspiration to others.

(b)  Awards shall be presented annually to
individuals in each of the following categories:

(1)  Arts;

(2)  Business and labor;

(3)  Entertainment;

(4)  Food and drink;

(5)  Literature;

(6)  Music;

(7)  Sports;

(8)  Science;

(9)  Community engagement;

(10)  Public service;

(11)  Friend of Hawaii; and

(12)  Profile in courage;

who have
resided in the State for a period of at least seven years; provided that no
individual receiving an award pursuant to paragraph (11) shall reside in the
State.

(c)  The governor, lieutenant governor, and
members of the Hawaii leadership awards selection committee, or their
designees, shall present the awards to awardees annually.  No individual shall receive more than one
award per year.

(d)  Each awardee shall:

(1)  Receive a certificate of honor and
medal; and

(2)  Have the awardee's story and a
statement of recognition displayed in a conspicuous place for a period of one
year; provided that after the year, the awardee's information shall be added to
a permanent archival exhibit of awardees, to include those from the Aloha order
of merit; provided further that the awardee's information shall be archived
within the state archives.

(e)  Awardees shall be selected by a Hawaii
leadership awards selection committee who shall ensure visibility and fair and
equitable consideration for all nominees in its evaluation and selection
process.  The selection committee shall
be composed of the following members:

(1)  One individual appointed by the
president of the senate;

(2)  One individual appointed by the
speaker of the house of representatives;

(3)  One individual appointed by the
governor;

(4)  One
individual appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(5)  One
individual from the state archives.

(f)  Nominations for awardees shall be accepted by
the Hawaii leadership awards selection committee from the public.

(g)
The state archives shall coordinate with respective stakeholders to
administer and execute the program."

SECTION 3.
New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4.
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.