SCR 163

THE SENATE
S.C.R. NO.
163
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
reaffirming the legislature's commitment to participate
as a member legislature in the pacific inter-parliamentary assembly.
���� WHEREAS, the
Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group was established in 2019 by parliaments and
legislative assemblies across the Pacific region to strengthen
inter-parliamentary cooperation, facilitate the exchange of best legislative
practices, and support democratic institutions throughout Oceania; and
���� WHEREAS, the Legislature
has participated in the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group since 2019,
recognizing Hawaiʻi's
unique geographic, cultural, and historical ties to the peoples and nations of
the Pacific; and
���� WHEREAS, in
August 2025, member legislatures adopted statutes establishing the Pacific
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly as the successor organization to the Pacific
Islands Parliamentary Group, expanding the framework for cooperation among
Pacific legislatures and formalizing its governance structure as a regional
association of Pacific parliaments and legislative assemblies; and
���� WHEREAS, the
Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly seeks to strengthen democratic governance,
enhance legislative cooperation, and provide a platform for Pacific
legislatures to collaborate on shared priorities, including climate resilience,
sustainable development, ocean stewardship, cultural preservation, and economic
resilience across the region; and
���� WHEREAS, the
vision of the Blue Pacific Continent reflects a shared commitment among Pacific
peoples to strengthen regional solidarity, protect the Pacific Ocean, and
advance a resilient and prosperous future for the region; and
���� WHEREAS, Hawaiʻi's geographic
location, indigenous heritage, and longstanding cultural and historical
connections across Oceania position the State as a natural bridge between
Pacific island nations and the United States, fostering dialogue, partnership,
and collaboration among Pacific legislatures; and
���� WHEREAS, continued
engagement in the Pacific Inter‑Parliamentary Assembly allows the
Legislature to support Pacific-led regional cooperation, exchange legislative
expertise, and elevate the voices and priorities of Pacific communities in
regional dialogue; and
���� WHEREAS, the
transition from the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group to the Pacific
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly requires participating legislatures to formally
reaffirm their membership under the newly established institutional framework;
now, therefore,
���� BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that this
body reaffirms its commitment to participate as a member legislature in the
Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that continued participation in the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly will strengthen parliamentary cooperation between Hawaiʻi and other Pacific
legislatures and advance shared priorities across the Pacific region; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to
the Governor; President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives;
President of the East-West Center; Chairman of the Board of the Pacific
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; and Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group Permanent
Secretariat from the Assembly of French Polynesia.
Report Title:�
Pacific
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; Membership