STAND. COM. REP. NO.889

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1033

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1033, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP MUSEUM, OAHU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to assist in the relocation of the Bishop Museum's Science Learning Center.

Your Committee finds that as Hawaii enters the 21st century, it is imperative that it compete globally for new markets and sources of investment. Besides high technology, health medicine, and other types of economic activity, it is also critical that the State provide recreational, cultural, and educational infrastructure as well.

Of major importance to this end, is the development of the Kakaako district makai of Ala Moana Blvd. This area commonly referred to as Kakaako Makai, although targeted for major redevelopment focusing on high technology, also features recreational attractions such as the Children's Discovery Center and the Kakaako Waterfront Park.

Your Committee notes that the Legislature has considered many project proposals for Kakaako Makai, but finds the Science and Learning Center best suited for this area because of its concentration in science and its ability to complement existing recreational attractions in the area.

Your Committee has amended the bill by reducing the amount of the bond issuance to $2,000,000 per fiscal year and by making a technical amendment that has no substantive effect.

Your Committee received testimony unanimously in support of the bill by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Eye on Makai, Kamaaina Kids, the Bishop Museum, the Polynesian Voyaging Society and two concerned citizens.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1033, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1033, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair