Series 186 - Legislative Testimony

The Hawaii Bicentennial Commission was authorized in 1970 by Act 98 to plan and coordinate activities commemorating the 200th birthday of the United States in 1976. It prepared an overall program in cooperation with appropriate state departments, agencies, local public bodies and other historical, civic, philanthropic and related organizations. The Commission was authorized to accept donations of money, personal property or personal services.

The Commission was composed of nine members appointed by the Governor; one member was selected from each of the four counties, four were selected at large and one was selected from the executive branch of the State government. Commissioners Thurston Twigg-Smith, Chairman, Sam N. Okinaga, Vice Chairman, James D. Evans and John G. Simpson served continuously throughout the Commission's existence. Hideto Kono, Paul W. Goudsmit, Sandy Young, Gabriel I, Msgr. Charles A. Kekumano, Dr. Shelly M. Mark, Mrs. B. Howell Bond, Lowell S. Dillingham, Mrs. Piilani Ramler, Donald K. Tokunaga, Kenneth Harding and Turk Tokita served shorter terms as Commissioners.

Following the appointment of John Pincentich as executive director in 1972, the Commission was organized along the following lines. The Executive Committee, composed of Commission members, functioned as the executive arm of the Commission, and was responsible for budgetary matters and reviewing programs seeking Commission endorsement and funding. Citizen committee work was responsible for planning and developing the bulk of the Bicentennial program. Three basic program committees suggested by the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, Heritage '76, Festival '76, and Horizons '76 were responsible for developing and coordinating programs relating to the "historic past," the "living present" and the "challenging future," respectively. A Communications Committee was responsible for publicity, served as a liaison with other Committees, and formed and directed a Speaker's Bureau. The Government Liaison Committee was responsible for establishing and maintaining liaison with state/county departments and agencies and keeping the Commission apprised of such governmental efforts; the Military Liaison Committee was the military counterpart to the Government Liaison Committee; and Neighbor Island County Bicentennial Committees coordinated state-wide activities in their respective counties and developed their own local projects.

Although administratively placed in the office of the Governor by Act 98, the Department of Planning and Economic Development (DPED) handled all Bicentennial business until a full-time office staff was hired in October 1972. The Commission met from November 9, 1971 and June 16, 1977, and following the close of its office closed on June 30, 1977, DPED was again chosen by Governor Ariyoshi to handle any remaining Bicentennial business.