Bill > HB1385

This bill establishes the Hawaii State Flag Redesign Commission to create a new state flag that better represents Hawaii's diverse cultural heritage and historical context. The commission will be administratively housed within the department of accounting and general services and will consist of 13 members, including two senators, two representatives, four representatives from Native Hawaiian organizations, four cultural historians, and the executive director of the state foundation on culture and the arts (who will serve as chairperson). The commission's primary responsibilities include leading community engagement, conducting public education campaigns, hosting forums and workshops, and soliciting and evaluating public design proposals for a new state flag. Members will serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses. The bill acknowledges the current state flag's complex historical origins, rooted in the Hawaiian Kingdom's flag, and seeks to create a more inclusive symbol that honors Hawaii's Native Hawaiian foundation while reflecting its contemporary multicultural identity. The commission is required to submit a report with its findings and recommended flag design to the legislature before the 2026 regular session and will officially dissolve on December 31, 2026.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1385&year=2026