Hawaii could see new holiday and two days of observance | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaii could see a new official state holiday marking each Lunar New Year in February and two unofficial days of “observance” to celebrate Hawaii’s libraries and honor Joseph Dutton, who followed Hawaii’s first Catholic saint in treating Hanson’s disease patients on Molokai’s remote Kalaupapa peninsula.

This year’s efforts to create a new state holiday and new days of observance are meant to again celebrate Hawaii island cultures and practices, along with the selfless sacrifice of Dutton in the 1800s and the ongoing work of Hawaii’s librarians, employees and volunteers.

Separate bills introduced in the state Legislature this session follow last year’s passage of the Laulau Day of observance to celebrate the Hawaiian food staple and 2024’s Kimchi Day of observance honoring Korean immigrants.

State Rep. Linda Ichiyama (D, Fort Shafter Flats-Salt Lake-Pearl Harbor) saw her hope to observe Kimchi Day every Nov. 22 become reality, followed by Rep. Darius Kila (D, Nanakuli-Maili), who successfully turned each May 1 into Laulau Day.

Kimchi Day celebrates Korean history and culture by honoring the traditional staple. Likewise, Laulau Day honors Hawaiian culture, while also recognizing local farmers, chefs and communities.

Asians — who comprise 37% of Hawaii’s population — already mark Lunar New Year as a time for family, reflection and wishes for the year ahead, according to Senate Bill 2220.

Each Lunar New Year coincides with “the second new moon after the winter solstice” and would be enshrined in state law as a day of observance two years after Hawaii marked the 235th anniversary of the first arrival of Asian immigrant workers in the islands.

“The legislature recognizes that Asians have made significant contributions to the state’s social, civic and economic success,” according to SB 2220, “as well as its diverse and vibrant culture, which includes the celebration of the Lunar New Year.”

In 2022, California recognized the Lunar New Year as a state holiday, followed by New York in 2023 designating each Lunar New Year as a public school holiday.

SB 2147, at the same time, would recognize the diverse services offered through Hawaii’s libraries, especially by helping local students.

In a 2023 North Carolina study, according to SB 2147, “students with a full-time school librarian scored significantly higher on reading and math than similar students who did not have a full-time librarian.”

Beyond loaning books,
in Hawaii “roughly 90% of public libraries help patrons access government services such as voter registration, tax forms and social
assistance programs,” according to SB 2147.

If SB 2147 passes, the first Friday in February would be designated as “Love My Library Day” to honor Hawaii’s libraries, their employees and volunteers.

SB 2256 would honor Dutton, who was born Ira Barnes Dutton on April 27, 1843. Dutton later changed his name to Joseph after his favorite saint, Joseph, husband of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Dutton joined Damien in July 1886 after he learned how Father Damien was caring for Hansen’s disease patients who had been exiled to Molokai’s remote Kalaupapa Peninsula.

He continued to care
for patients after Father Damien’s death at the “Baldwin Home for Boys for leprosy victims” in Kalaupapa.

Dutton died at St. Francis Hospital in Honolulu on March 26, 1931.

Because of Dutton’s work and dedication, SB 2256
intends to dedicate his April 27 birthday each year as a day of observance to be called “Brother Joseph Dutton Day.”