| Author |
Topic: Instating the Steel Guitar as Hawaii's State Instrument |
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 24 Mar 2014 1:34 pm |
|
Now that we dodged a big bullet with the killing of the uke Bill it's certainly time to get it together and legislate the steel into it's deserved position.
Don, have you heard anything towards that effort yet, and what procedures it'll take? |
|
|
 |
Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
|
Posted 24 Mar 2014 6:35 pm
|
|
No, I have not heard about any movement toward installing the Hawaiian Steel Guitar as the "awana" State Instrument.
It would be effective to make contacts with the key representatives and senators to initiate a bill toward that end. Alan Akaka is best positioned to make contact with the appropriate legislators to accomplish that endeavor.
The passage of any legislation occurs when people keep at it and don't give up.  |
|
|
|
Tom Snook
From:
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
|
Posted 24 Mar 2014 6:48 pm
|
|
I would think that since it is called "Hawaiian Steel Guitar",that it would be a given.They don't call it Hawaiian Ukulele.
_________________
I wanna go back to my little grass shack........ |
|
|
|
Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
|
Posted 25 Mar 2014 6:55 am
|
|
Be sure to keep us informed. I'd love to help out to the extent I can here in Northern California.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 25 Mar 2014 2:10 pm
|
|
| Don Kona Woods wrote: |
| No, I have not heard about any movement toward installing the Hawaiian Steel Guitar as the "awana" State Instrument. It would be effective to make contacts with the key representatives and senators to initiate a bill toward that end. Alan Akaka is best positioned to make contact with the appropriate legislators to accomplish that endeavor. |
That's exactly what I was afraid of, seemingly nothing on the radar in steel's favor at another crucial time.
Not that this means nothing's happening, but it should be well known.
This was in the Honolulu SA's staff editorial today;
Debate over State instrument hits sour notes ( )
A lot of sour notes are rising from the halls of the State Office this session: Should the ukulele be Hawaii's State instrument?
People figured nobody would find the iconic stringed instrument a controversial nomination. They were wrong. Champions of other potential honorees, ranging from the steel guitar to the pahu drum, have come out in full force.
Among the surviving Bills, Senate Bill 3107 retains the ukulele proposal.
House Bill 2573 suggests the State Office Of Hawaiian Affairs come up with nominations to be put to voters - including Hawaii's children, through the Kids Voting Hawaii project.
Who knew something as lovely and diverse as Hawaiian music be the crux of such a fight?
I guess we still don't have a legislative watchdog for the steel as even the original fight ain't over at all, OHA and the voting project need to be contacted and encouraged to vacate these ideas. It's hardly a fair vote, even if you favor the pahu or flute. What kid in Hawaii (or their nearly as ignorant parents) is going to vote for anything but ukulele right now?
www.oha.org/contact
www.kidsvotinghi.org/
Alan is the most politically versed and connected person on Oahu I currently know, but if it's all (or virtually) on his shoulders to make inroads for steel then there's another huge problem. It shouldn't be dumped on one person, or a very few, otherwise the steel community fails to even deserve this honor be given the instrument of their choice. And if something is happening then those voices need to be open and clear to all, not keeping a secret.
Senate Bill 3107
www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3107&year=2014
RE : S.B. No. 3107 S.D. 1
Honorable Donna Mercado Kim
President of the Senate
Twenty-Seventh State Legislature Regular Session of 2014 State of Hawaii
Madam:
Your Committee on Technology and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 3107 entitled: "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE INSTRUMENT," begs leave to report as follows: The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and designate the ukulele as the official instrument of the State. Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies and one individual. Your Committee finds that throughout the history of Hawaii, music has played an integral part in the lives of its people. The ukulele was popularized by Hawaiian royalty, plantation workers, and musicians. The popularity of ukulele music continues to grow throughout Hawaii, the mainland, and beyond. This measure recognizes the ukulele and its history in Hawaii. Your Committee has amended this measure by:(1)Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and (2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency. As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Technology and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3107, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3107, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Technology and the
Arts, Glenn Wakai, Chair
THE SENATE STATE OF HAWAII TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE INSTRUMENT. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State has sixteen adopted, designated, and established official symbols. From the state motto:
"Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono", to kalo, the state plant, these symbols are representative of all things unique to Hawaii. The legislature finds that throughout the history of Hawaii, music has played an integral part in the lives of its people. The first recorded sighting of an ukulele can be traced back to 1886, when Honolulu newspaper editor Augustus Marques discussed it in an article on music in Hawaii. The ukulele was originally from Portugal, but it was popularized by Hawaiian royalty, plantation workers, and musicians. The word "ukulele" is translated from Hawaiian in two parts: "uke", meaning to strike and "lele", meaning to jump. The legislature finds that the popularity of ukulele music continues to grow throughout our islands, the mainland, and beyond. The legislature finds that the State has struggled recently with budget cuts to deserving programs. Among the losses are reductions in funding from the department of education for music and art education. Kindy Sproat, a renowned falsetto singer and musician, may have said it best, "One ukulele and one soul can do a lot". The legislature finds that the beautiful sound of the ukulele has inspired generations of musicians and fans, and has often kindled camaraderie during impromptu jam sessions. In recognition of talented ukulele instructors and musicians past, present, and future throughout these islands and the world, the legislature honors this truly amazing musical instrument and its history in Hawaii by establishing the ukulele as the official state instrument.
SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: State instrument. The ukulele is established and designated as the official instrument of the State."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.
Report Title: Official State Instrument; Ukulele Description: Establishes and designates the ukulele as the official state instrument. Effective July 1, 2020.
House Bill 2573, which is on 48 hour 'notice' as of yesterday 3/24/14
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2573&year=2014
RE: H.B. No. 2573 H.D. 1
Honorable Joseph N. Souki, Speaker, House of Representatives, Twenty-Seventh State Legislature Regular Session of 2014, State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Veterans, Military, & International
Affairs, & Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 2573 entitled: “A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE INSTRUMENT,†begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to honor a musical instrument that is recognized throughout the world and has a tremendous history in Hawaii by establishing and designating the ukulele as the official ‘auwana instrument of the State.
Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. One individual provided comments. Your Committee has amended this measure by:(1) Removing the statutory description delineating the twopart
origin of the ukulele;(2) Clarifying that the ukulele is the official musical string instrument of the State rather than the official ‘auwana instrument;(3) Making numerous technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style. As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2573, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2573, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
HB2573 HD1 HSCR VMI HMS 2014-1947-1
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Veterans, Military, & International
Affairs, & Culture and the Arts,
K. MARK TAKAI, Chair
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ~ 2573 TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 IN H.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII ‘A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE INSTRUMENT. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:1 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State has sixteen adopted, designated, and established official symbols. From the state motto: “Ua mau ke ea o ka ama i ka ponoâ€, to kalo, the state plant, these symbols are representative of all things unique to Hawaii. Throughout Hawaii’s history, music has played an integral part in the lives of its people. Although the ukulele (a word translated from Hawaiian in two parts: “ukeâ€, meaning to strike, and “leleâ€, meaning to jump) was originally from Portugal, it was popularized by Hawaiian royalty, plantation workers, and musicians. The first recorded sighting of an ukulele can be traced back to 1886, when Honolulu newspaper editor Augustus Marques discussed it in an article on music in Hawaii. The State has recently faced financial crises necessitating budget cuts to deserving programs. Among the losses were reductions in funding to the department of education for music and art education. Kindy Sproat, a renowned falsetto singer and musician, may have said it best when he said, “One ukulele and one soul can do a lot.†The popularity of the ukulele and the music it produces continues to grow throughout our islands, the mainland, and beyond. The beautiful sound of the ukulele has inspired generations of musicians and fans and has often kindled camaraderie during impromptu jam sessions. In recognition of talented ukulele instructors and musicians, past, present, and future, throughout these islands and the world, the legislature honors this truly amazing musical instrument and its history in Hawaii by establishing the ukulele as the official musical string instrument of the State.
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: State musical string instrument. The ukulele is established and designated as the official musical string instrument of the State.†New statutory material is underscored. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:Official State Musical String Instrument; Designation Description:Establishes and designates the ukulele as the official musical string instrument of the State. |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 22 Apr 2014 5:15 pm
|
|
Update; http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20140422_Choosing_Hawaii_state_instrument_proves_difficult.html
As read;
The decision to name a state instrument in Hawaii is proving more difficult than some lawmakers expected.
At first, it seemed a proposal to give the title to the ukulele it was going to be an easy bill to pass. But then fans of the steel guitar and instruments like the ipu gourd made a case that their sounds should represent Hawaii.
Now, with less than two weeks left in the legislative session, lawmakers are trying to find a way to please everyone before they run out of time.
"It's surprising that with all the huge, substantive bills that we're discussing here, ukulele is one of the more controversial bills this Legislative session," said Sen. Glenn Wakai, D-Kalihi, chairman on the Senate side of the bill's conference committee. "I think the public feels strongly about what they feel should be a designated anything. Whether it's a ukulele, bird, flower, color or smell, people have strong opinions about those issues."
To please more musicians, lawmakers are considering naming one "ancient" instrument and one "modern" instrument, he said. That could leave room for both the steel guitar and ukulele lobbies to have their way.
Members of the Senate want to leave the decision up to a group of children to decide which musical tradition should represent the state. Children chose the state fish years ago, picking the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, a fish that isn't unique to Hawaii, Wakai said.
"We have precedent on going down this route, and we thought, because of the controversy, why don't we let the children take a second crack at designating our state symbol again?" Wakai said.
But adults don't want to be left out of the process, and neither do lawmakers, said Rep. Mark Takai, D-Aiea, chairman on the House side of the conference committee considering the ukulele bills.
"Ultimately, the Legislature is going to have to pass a law, and we can't handcuff a future Legislature," Takai said.
House members thought it might be less touchy to designate the ukulele the state musical string instrument, rather than overall state instrument, leaving room for the likes of pahu drums and nose flutes to have a moment in the spotlight. On the House side, the ukulele reigns supreme.
"Being able to carry the ukulele, versus the steel guitar, makes the ukulele much more popular and common," Takai said. "I think a lot of people, both in Hawaii and out of Hawaii, see the ukulele as our state instrument" -- then he corrected himself -- "state musical string instrument."
A panel that met Tuesday on two competing bills said the proposals need more work. They plan to meet again on Thursday. |
|
|
|
Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
|
Posted 22 Apr 2014 5:56 pm
|
|
Mahalo and thanks for the update, Ron!  |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 22 Apr 2014 6:38 pm
|
|
If they let kids vote it's all over. Steel has been allowed to disappear again with negligence the usual culprit.
Never heard a word about KITV's poll... |
|
|
|
Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
|
Posted 22 Apr 2014 8:22 pm
|
|
Perhaps we can contact KITV to forward their poll results to Hawaii's legislators. Two thumbs up for Hawaiian Steel Guitar.
KITV does have a new poll related to the matter-
Should Hawaii's children choose the state instrument?
Yes. - 42%
No. - 51%
Undecided. - 7%
There is more work to be done, Hawaiian Steel Guitarists. You can vote by going here:
http://www.kitv.com/
Aloha,
Don |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
|
|
|
Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
|
Posted 23 Apr 2014 5:27 pm
|
|
The New KITV poll with the latest results -
Should Hawaii's children choose the state instrument?
Yes. - 32%
No. - 63%
Undecided. - 5%
You can vote and help the cause of Hawaiian Steel Guitar. See the last two posts for accessing KITV poll. A no vote helps the cause. |
|
|
|
George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
|
Posted 23 Apr 2014 6:25 pm Helping the Cause
|
|
I just put in my No Vote as Don as explained will help. Took less than 1 minute.
Hopefully more forum members will pitch in to help this most worthy cause to get the Steel Guitar as the Hawaiian State String instrument and held in perpetuity.
Having my immediate family living on Maui since just after statehood , this is dear to my Heart. |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 24 Apr 2014 11:11 am
|
|
| OK, that's one added for yesterday, will we see another one today? |
|
|
|
Former Member
|
Posted 26 Apr 2014 6:23 am
|
|
Let me see if I got this right....
Now you would want non-Hawaiians, plus folks who don't even live in HI to vote on a poll whether children from HI should be part of the entire voting group allowed to decide on what will be the state's official instrument!?!
-Because you personally feel it's very important that steel guitar be the winner..
--My dad who is 83 and always voted GOP, said something very intelligent last Christmas. He asked his grandchildren how they would like him to vote in the next election. 'saying he wanted to contribute to their thoughts on a future he won't be a part of..
Come on codgers, time passes, change is a breath of fresh air, it's the cyclical perpetuity of nature. |
|
|
|
b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
|
|
|
|
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 26 Apr 2014 8:45 am
|
|
| some senators pushed for other instruments, but there wasn't time to debate the merits of pahu drums or the ipu gourd |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 26 Apr 2014 12:13 pm
|
|
| Ron Ellison wrote: |
Let me see if I got this right....
Now you would want non-Hawaiians, plus folks who don't even live in HI to vote on a poll whether children from HI should be part of the entire voting group allowed to decide on what will be the state's official instrument!?!
-Because you personally feel it's very important that steel guitar be the winner..
--My dad who is 83 and always voted GOP, said something very intelligent last Christmas. He asked his grandchildren how they would like him to vote in the next election. 'saying he wanted to contribute to their thoughts on a future he won't be a part of..
Come on codgers, time passes, change is a breath of fresh air, it's the cyclical perpetuity of nature. |
So, how far up your okole did you have to reach to pull out that amount of ignorant crap, or did your equally wrong dad assist you?
And if I'm a codger in my 50's then let us know when you reach old coot, it sounds like you've surpassed it.
Me personally? It's felt like that all too much of late, but obviously I'm not a lone scarecrow in a fallow field with Don in another thousands of miles away, enuf others still cared to help sway the issues in steel's favor, barely. For me it's not been about winning, more about not losing what we had when there was a vibrant steel guitar community that made efforts, thanx mainly to Jerry Byrd's influence, to keep steel established as the King it was for so long. That has mostly been allowed to erode unacceptably by those that followed in their footsteps. Now we have to reeducate everybody yet again, at least some kids have heard of steel guitar with this controversy and we can build on the momentum.
Maybe attitudes like you espouse should move on instead of being part of the problem?
Despite not hearing about any email generated campaign in steel's favor by Alan Akaka (Don, did you, and why would it be so exclusive?) it did help build an undertow of important support that I've noted previously. Alan say's he'll lobby for steel guitar next year. Great, maybe I can resume focusing solely on more important issues facing our local communities, and even more fun time. Thanx to all who helped win this battle, and without compromise, but the war ain't over. |
|
|
|
Former Member
|
Posted 26 Apr 2014 5:25 pm
|
|
Well, I felt a nice surge of anger there for a second, but just to you Ron I want to say that if you reviewed the letters that were sent in to the legislature, you'd find mine right there with my name on it. (Alan asked me to) I think it's a nice gesture to include the kids of HI in the selection of something cultural. Not often done. Calling myself and my dad ignorant for some reason feels weird. His cousin wrote O'lelo O'iwi, and teaches at the only Hawaiian language immersion school on the islands.-His father was a respected preacher on Maui and Kauai for 45 years.
We have nothing but respect for the Hawaiians as a whole, and appreciate their beautiful sense of importance for their children. To "give them the boot" because of your fears, so specifically tied to your personal desires, is in fact saying what you believe is more important than the kids of HI.
Music is not stuck in time. It is always evolving, slack-key, uke, steel guitar, chanting, all Hawaiian music keeps moving ahead, doing its thing. I just know that whatever instrument gets chosen, it's not the end for any of them.
I'm glad you're passionate about the steel guitar, next time I'm on Oahu, I'll look you up and introduce myself. |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 27 Apr 2014 3:17 pm
|
|
First let me say thank you for your support despite whatever it took to get it, Ron. Second, now you might know how I felt when I read your negativity on my expressions and why allowing children to participate in voting when they have little clue today about their own culture, traditions beyond their limited knowledge, and recent heritage that heavily gained from the steel guitar was obviously a bad idea and denounced by Rep. Mark Takai, D-Aiea, the chairman of the House side of the conference committee that considered the bill who said kids didn't deserve such sway. These kids don't know steel helped greatly in putting Hawaii on the map when it really mattered while uke strummed accompaniment to The King of that era. How many of them ever heard of steel before this controversy? Almost none. If uke had 'won' they would have lost, they'd never even think of steel guitar again or know how much cooler steel is and easier to play than the huge current flavor of the month. Let them have years of education on the issue, maybe even some would learn to play steel and share with their friends, let's see how the vote would go then. At least it would be infinitely more fair. To say otherwise I do find on the ignorant side, especially when you are familiar with Hawaii, I hope you find my pov more acceptable as things develope. And I usually would drag someone's parent into such but anyone that's been around here long knows my outrage at certain things with a G and O and P in it, please forgive my failings of restraint. BTW, it's often a long line for people wanting to meet me, take a number  Music does evolve and it's expansion is welcome, but in the case of steel it was allowed to devolve and virtually disappear, this is why our community has forgotten about it again and why I'm maybe overly passionate about it, we should never have lost the mo we had to be put back in this silly position. But I do appreciate your input regardless of any differences, it'd be beyond boring here otherwise. |
|
|
|
Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
|
Posted 27 Apr 2014 4:10 pm
|
|
While kids can always be considered in any matter, the legislators have the responsibility under the law to decide and to not evade their responsibility. I am glad that they used wisdom in postponing the matter and slowing the process down to have more deliberate thought. Now maybe the Hawaiian Steel Guitar will be more recognized and move to have its proper place in Hawaii's cultural history.
Ron is absolutely correct that the rich cultural aspects of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, which also impacted the world, was being lost by the legislators. They needed to be educated and to some extent that began to happen.
It takes people like Ron who will stand up and be counted and even irritate a few people to move things in the right direction for the Hawaiian Steel Guitar. A standing ovation for Ron, please! |
|
|
|
Former Member
|
Posted 27 Apr 2014 5:23 pm
|
|
I'd be the last guy to hold a grudge, and always enjoy a lively discussion. We could go on debating the kids issue, but..
Why there was ever a need to have an official instrument was brought on by those evil uke-ists..
I hope this forum is for folks to voice their opinions and share knowledge of steel guitar.
My experience living in HI made me glad to be back in CA... I'm not into Hawaiian music primarily, just took a class while living on Kauai. It was lots of fun, Alan and Ed are great guys. I dig Jerry Byrd and practice stuff from his book. Got into lap steel as my hands stiffened up from a lifetime of labor, and couldn't play the guitar like I used to.
After I wrote the letter to the state, I felt like who the hell was I to speak up, I mean what did I know!?! It's not my battle, but I hope things work out for everybody. 
I apologize to anyone offended, Coot-out!  |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2014 1:30 pm
|
|
It's all good, Ron, I think we're on the same page here at SGF, just reading from different books sometimes. And now I even thank the ukesters for doing what they, in whatever original form, did from their perspectives, it helped steel so now we can rebuild using that bit of education. We can if there's enuf will like there used to be. And with Don on watch our chances are good, divert any applause to the main deserver, I'm just over here and willing to speak up or annoy.
If things go to my plan our sleazeball Gov. and other slimy power factions will be more than annoyed with me soon, if I disappear... start there. |
|
|
|
