HI HB1549

Establishes the Hawaii Commission on the History and Culture of the Early Settlers of African Ancestry and their Hawaiian African Descendants within the Office of the Governor.

Commission consists of 11 members appointed by the governor: two from the African American Diversity Culture Center Hawaii, two from the NAACP, one from the University of Hawaii, and six at-large members from various ethnic groups.

Commission members serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for necessary expenses including travel.

Commission authority includes initiating projects and events to educate residents and visitors about early African ancestry settlers and their descendants' history and contributions in Hawaii.

Commission must publish an annual report to the legislature with recommendations to honor and recognize contributions of early settlers, Hawaiian African descendants, and people of African descent in Hawaii.