STAND. COM. REP. NO.1605

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.C.R. No. 135

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 135 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN TO ASSIST AND EMPOWER THE WAI'ANAE COMMUNITY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE TO FOSTER GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to establish a task force to develop an emergency action plan to assist and empower the Wai'anae community and other communities around the State to foster greater self-sufficiency.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from DBEDT and Hale Na'au Pono.

Your Committee finds that the State's rural communities, particularly Wai'anae, are in desperate need of increased economic and community development. There are several community-based programs that have been initiated and have provided positive results. However, they continue to be limited by the lack of resources. Clearly, additional support for these community-based programs and services is necessary in order for the State's rural communities to achieve stability.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 135, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair