Senate Resolution 100 Summary

• Designates October 15, the birthday of Mekia Kealakai, as Royal Hawaiian Troubadours Day in recognition of Hawaiian string band musicians who performed internationally in the early twentieth century.

• Acknowledges Kealakai's journey from reform school at age twelve to becoming an accomplished musician under the mentorship of Royal Hawaiian Band leader Henri Berger.

• Credits Hawaiian musicians of Kealakai's generation with influencing the design of the Martin Dreadnought acoustic guitar and contributing to the development of iconic American musical styles.

• Recognizes the Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings' efforts to preserve this legacy through sold-out concerts in 2020, a compact disc in collaboration with the Library of Congress, and a major exhibition at Bishop Museum opening in Spring 2020.

• Directs certified copies of the resolution to the President of the Pu'uhonua Society, Chief Executive Officer of Bishop Museum, and Hawaii State Comptroller.