STAND. COM. REP. NO. 189

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 920

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 920 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS BUILDING AND A HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and make an appropriation for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the construction of a facility that would not only house the administrative offices and support staff of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, but also a Hawaiian Community Center.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that the construction of a centralized facility for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, including a Hawaiian Community Center, is vital to the ongoing mission of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in improving the social and economic conditions of Native Hawaiians. This multipurpose building would function as a community resource that members of the Native Hawaiian community and the community at large could utilize both as a meeting place as well as a showcase and repository for Native Hawaiian history and culture. Further, your Committee finds that the construction of this building would relieve the Office of Hawaiian Affairs of its current rent obligations, thereby freeing up additional financial resources that could be directed towards fulfilling its mission.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 920 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair