STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1508

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 167

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 167 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF PLANTING KALO IN THE REFLECTING POOL THAT SURROUNDS THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to add kalo to the symbols of Hawaii that are a part of the Hawaii State Capitol, by requesting the University of Hawaii (UH) College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, in consultation with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to study the feasibility of planting kalo in the reflecting pools that surround the State Capitol building.

 

     The Representative of the 11th District and a concerned individual supported this measure.  UH at Manoa supported the intent of this measure.  A concerned individual submitted comments.

 

     UH was concerned that planting kalo would add to the costs of maintaining the reflecting pools surrounding the State Capitol, and cause drainage issues.  Your Committee believes that instead of maintaining the reflecting pools, consideration should be given to replacing these pools with dry land kalo, and perhaps, a symbolic representation of the surrounding ocean waters.  This may result in a solution that costs less than current estimates of conducting needed repairs on the pools, while enhancing the historic and symbolic value of the State Capitol building.  However, your Committee also believes that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs should make any final decision on whether dry land or another type of kalo is preferred.

 

     Your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:

 

(1)  Amending its title to read:  "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF PLANTING non-genetically modified KALO IN THE REFLECTING POOL THAT SURROUNDS THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING";

 

(2)  Specifying that the requested study consider the feasibility of planting non-genetically modified taro around the State Capitol building; and

 

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 167, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Agriculture in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 167, H.D. 1.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MELE CARROLL, Chair