As an organization dedicated to fostering the arts in Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance recognizes that Senate Bill 582, in many respects, is a well-intended and reasonable piece of legislation.

However, buried within its provisions are restrictions to the Works of Art Special Fund — a vital resource for sustaining our state’s creative sector. This critical change was not widely publicized, and we are concerned that it undermines cultural preservation and weakens the economic contributions of the creative sector.

We urge lawmakers and the public to recognize the far-reaching impact of this legislation and stand in opposition to the proposed revisions to the Works of Art Special Fund.

The federal landscape for arts and culture funding is already under attack, with recent efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

This makes local support for the arts more critical than ever. Hawaiʻi should not be experimenting with how it funds and protects its unique artistic and cultural heritage — especially at a time when national policies threaten the very existence of such work. Instead of weakening state support, we must reinforce our commitment to the arts and resist efforts that would further endanger the creative sector.

A Devastating Local Blow

Hawaiʻi’s arts and cultural practitioners depend on a combination of private and public funding to sustain their work and share it with the community. Many of our local arts organizations operate on tight budgets, continuously struggling to maintain programming, host cultural events, and preserve Native Hawaiian culture.

If passed, Senate Bill 582 could force many organizations to cut programming, lay off staff, or even close their doors entirely. At a time when federal arts funding is becoming increasingly scarce, now is not the time for Hawaiʻi to scale back its support.

Beyond the immediate harm to arts organizations, this bill threatens the long-term preservation of Hawaiʻi’s cultural identity. The arts serve as a vital conduit for perpetuating Native Hawaiian traditions and supporting cultural practices unique to our islands. Reducing arts funding will only make it more difficult for communities across all islands — especially Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations — to access and engage with their cultural heritage.

Short-Sighted Economic Decision

The arts are not just about creative expression — they are a major economic driver in Hawaiʻi. More than 20,000 Hawaiʻi residents work in the creative economy, contributing to a $3.3 billion industry that fuels small businesses across the state.

According to Americans for the Arts, Hawaiʻi’s arts and culture sector generates millions of dollars annually and provides thousands of jobs. Arts festivals, gallery openings, concerts, and performances attract both residents and visitors, generating revenue that supports local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and retail stores.

Weakening public arts funding does not save money in the long run — it stifles an industry that directly contributes to our state’s economic vitality. The ripple effects of a diminished arts sector will reach far beyond theaters and galleries — it will harm businesses and communities that depend on a thriving cultural scene to attract customers and enhance the quality of life in Hawaiʻi.

Balanced Approach Needed

Instead of cutting funding for the arts, lawmakers should recognize the immense value of cultural investment and explore alternative solutions to address fiscal concerns. These could include:

• general fund support without the proposed cuts;
• identifying new revenue streams to sustain arts funding; and
• public-private partnerships to leverage additional resources.

The real question is not whether we can afford to support the arts, but rather how can we afford not to.

We call on Hawaiʻi’s legislators to reconsider SB 582 and remove the restrictions to the Works of Art Special Fund. The arts are not an expendable line item in the state budget — they are an essential part of who we are as a people and a place. Instead of dismantling our cultural future, let us invest in it.