HI HCR135

Recognizes October 15 as Royal Hawaiian Troubadours Day in honor of Mekia Kealakai's birthday.

Honors Mekia Kealakai, a Native Hawaiian musician mentored by Royal Hawaiian Band leader Henri Berger, who collaborated with the C.F. Martin Guitar Company to create the Dreadnought acoustic guitar.

Acknowledges Hawaiian string bands of the early twentieth century that traveled internationally and influenced modern American popular music.

Notes that the Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings has produced Sovereign String Band concerts and released historic Hawaiian string band music recordings from 1904 in collaboration with the Library of Congress.

Requires certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Pu'uhonua Society, and Chief Executive Officer of Bishop Museum.