Hawai‘i America250 Commission
In the 2022 legislative session, the Hawai‘i State Legislature passed HCR 166, 31st Leg., Reg. Sess. (2022) that states,
in part, ‘That the Governor is requested to establish a Hawai’i Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial by Executive Order”,
and that Commission is to “coordinate a statewide effort commemorating and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the
United States of America”.
The Hawai‘i America250 Commission was formed in 2023 through an Executive Order issued by Governor Josh Green
to provide for the coordinated observance and commemoration events and activities within the State of Hawai’i
remembering the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The nineteen-member commission includes representatives from across the Islands.
Governor Green is the Honorary Chair, and each County Mayor is Honorary Co-Chair.
In the formative stage of the Commission, most of the effort has been through efforts by members of the
Sons of the American Revolution (3 are members of the Commission) and Daughters of the American Revolution (2 are members of the Commission).
Now, each County in the State (4) is represented by at least 2 members on the Commission (these include two
Managing Directors, Mayor’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Managing Director for Hawai‘i’s four Counties on the Commission).
In addition, the assistant superintendent for the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design from the
State’s Department of Education serves on the Commission; the President of the University of Hawai‘i appointed a
member to represent the University on the Commission. Each of the government Commissioners has a representative to sit
in their seat, when the Commissioner cannot attend.
The Executive Order allows for the Commission to appoint a ‘Secretariat’ to handle the receipt and disbursement of funds;
AMVETS Hawaii Service Foundation Corp, a 501(c)(3) was recently contracted to serve that role.
(That is the only ‘staff’ supporting the Commission; the rest of the work is handled by volunteer Commissioners and committee members).
Through events, programs, products, digital and printed media, symposia, and educational outreach, the Commission promotes and encourages:
- Awareness and understanding of the principles of the “Charters of Freedom” (Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights), the winning of American independence in the American Revolutionary War, and the establishment of America’s system of constitutional self-government, emphasizing the roles of active and engaged good citizens.
- Teaching students and increasing public knowledge and appreciation of the breadth of American history and the centuries-long quest for “liberty and justice for all.”
- Advancing the cause of liberty and the meaning of “E Pluribus Unum” (“From Many, One”).
- Enhancing the recognition of service and sacrifices of the military—active duty, reserve, guard, and veterans—of all generations who have secured and preserved American independence and freedom, and encouraging others to honor them.