The resolutions to honor cock fighting did not progress further this legislative session. 

Update March 31, 2010: The Hawaii House of Representatives Tourism, Culture and International Committee has passed this resolution! The resolution, HCR 277/HR 199, has been sent back to this committee, however.

For more on this resolution that would honor cockfighting, read Animal Law Coalition's report below. 

It would seem odd for a state to honor a criminal activity as "cultural". Imagine a state legislature wasting time on a resolution that would honor such activities as domestic violence, prostitution, or honor killing as "cultural". 

In some places and among some, these activities have been or are "cultural".  That doesn't mean they are good or right - or legal.

Yet the Hawaii legislature is actually considering today a resolution to honor cockfighting as "cultural". Cockfighting is a misdemeanor in Hawaii, a crime punishable by a jail term of up to one year and a fine up to $2,000. HI Rev. Stat. §711-1109  

HCR 277 and HR 199 state cockfighting is a "cherished tradition" with "cultural significance" that pumps $9,000,000 into Hawaii's economy annually.  The game breeders behind the resolution claim they work to "elevat[e] bloodline quality" of the roosters, that they are well cared for and treated better than factory farmed chickens. 

Let's stop this nonsense. Write (faxes are best) or call the members of the Tourism, Culture and International Committee of the Hawaii House of Representatives and ask them why they are even holding a hearing on a resolution to endorse animal cruelty. Urge them to vote NO to HCR 277/HR 199 and to cockfighting and call instead for enforcement of the law that makes this animal cruelty a crime. (just click on their names for contact info) Find your HI state rep here and also urge him or her to vote no.