Report Title:

Lyon Arboretum; University of Hawaii

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for repair, maintenance, and operation of the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum. (HB1192 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1192

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO THE LYON ARBORETUM.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes that the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum is an important botanical and educational resource that is in dire need of essential improvements. Aptly called a "Noah's ark of plant life," the arboretum houses living plant collections, comprising about fifteen thousand specimens from more than six thousand species and varieties. It is the only university arboretum in the United States located in a tropical rain forest, and it has one of the largest collections of palms of any botanical garden in the world. The arboretum has gained international recognition in conservation biology by rescuing hundreds of species of rare or endangered native Hawaiian plants and micropropagating them in laboratories for eventual reintroduction to suitable native habitats.

Every year, approximately thirty-four thousand visitors participate in classes, research projects, and other community activities, and enjoy the beautiful plant displays and walking trails. Over one hundred non-credit, continuing educational courses and workshops are offered annually and thousands of students participate with their teachers in the arboretum's curriculum and teacher training programs for K-7 education.

Recently, the arboretum was closed for four months due to health and safety concerns caused by a lack of funds for repair and maintenance. As a result, school programs, classes, special events, day-to-day volunteer operations, and public visits came to a halt.

Some repair and safety improvements have been made to allow the arboretum to reopen. However, these improvements have merely started the reversal of decades of neglect. As the legislative auditor confirmed in its recent audit, the arboretum remains in a state of disorder, disrepair, and dysfunction. Today, its potential as a research, scientific, and educational institution remains largely untapped.

The purpose of this Act is to dedicate the resources needed to repair, maintain, and operate the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $870,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for the repair and maintenance of the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for the operating expenses of the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.