STAND. COM. REP. NO. 431

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 217
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was
referred S.B. No. 217 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE HANA
     COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to
assist the Hana Community Health Center in the development of a
wellness center.  In particular, this measure will provide the
funding to develop and assess the feasibility of the wellness
center, including a business plan.

     Testimony in favor of this measure was received from members
of the Maui County Council and Hana Community Health Center.
Testimony in favor of the intent of this measure was received
from the Hawaii State Department of Health and one member of the
Maui County Council.

     Your Committee finds that residents of East Maui have
produced some of the lowest health and socio-economic indicators
in the State.  It has been the goal of the Hana Community Heath
Center to develop a wellness center as a part of a three year
strategic plan to address the future needs of the rural
community.  The wellness center should empower the people of Hana
to become actively involved in their own wellness through the
provision of culturally appropriate programs that modify behavior
and lead to long term healthy lifestyles.


 
a                                                     SB217
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 431
                                   Page 2


     The wellness center supported by this measure will assist
residents to integrate healthful patterns, such as good nutrition
and exercise, into their current lifestyles.  The project
includes the following programs:  nutrition and healthy cooking,
fitness training, relaxation and alternative healing remedies,
and behavior modification classes.

     It is your Committee's intent that funding provided in this
measure should not displace the annual base subsidy requested by
Hana Community Heath Center of $1 million for each year of the
Biennium in order to assure a successful transition from State to
non-profit ownership. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of S.B. No. 217 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 Health and Human
                                   Services,



                                   ______________________________
                                   SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

 
a                                                     SB217