HI HB846

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate, make recommendations, and establish a sister-state relationship with the Department of Vosges in France.

Exempts the sister-state relationship from Hawaii Revised Statutes section 229-3.

Department must submit progress reports to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to each regular legislative session until the sister-state relationship is fully established.

Relationship is based on shared history: the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion (composed largely of Japanese-American soldiers from Hawaii) liberated towns of Bruyeres and Biffontaine in Vosges in October 1944, with Honolulu and Bruyeres establishing a sister-city relationship in 1961.

Act takes effect upon approval.