H.C.R. 108 Summary

• Urges establishment of a Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group to develop policies and legislation protecting Native Hawaiian intellectual property rights, including traditional cultural knowledge expressed through hula, mele, lei making, weaving, carving, and other art forms.

• Working group to consist of 9 members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President (3 each) from nominees of 8 specified organizations including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, and Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

• Working group members to select a chairperson, meet at least monthly, create solutions to prevent Native Hawaiian intellectual property misappropriation, and have authority to include additional Native Hawaiian organizations by majority vote.

• Working group must submit recommendations and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 40 days before the 2025 Regular Session convening.

• Addresses concerns that western intellectual property systems fail to protect indigenous collective knowledge and cultural expressions, citing examples like cease-and-desist letters from a non-Hawaiian food chain claiming ownership of "Aloha" and "Poke."