STAND. COM. REP. NO.674

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 497

S.D. 1

 

 

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. 497, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to change the composition of the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Specifically, the bill increases the number of members on the Commission from six to seven and requires that one member have substantial experience in traditional Hawaiian water resource management techniques and in traditional riparian usage.

Your Committee finds that the Commission on Water Resource Management would be benefited by having a member who is experienced in traditional Hawaiian water resource management techniques and in traditional riparian usage because Hawaii's water "culture" transcends the typical western traditions. For centuries, Hawaiians cultivated taro and other staple foods with water channeled through the fields from the mountain streams. Water was life and the Hawaiians knew how to husband it through droughts and contain it during storms. Having a person with this knowledge on the Commission can improve the Commission's entire perspective on the uses and allocation of water in the State.

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. 497, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair