THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

137

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS AND EXPENDITURES.

 

WHEREAS, the patients of the Kalaupapa Settlement were forced into exile due to contracting Hansen's Disease; and

WHEREAS, the State recognizes the injustice placed on these individuals and has committed resources to allow these Hansen's disease patients to live out their lives in the Kalaupapa Settlement so long as they desire; and

WHEREAS, the number of patients has dwindled to less than fifty; and

WHEREAS, there are more state and federal workers than patients now residing in the Kalaupapa Settlement; and

WHEREAS, the single most important purpose of keeping the Kalaupapa Settlement open is for the benefit of the patients; and

WHEREAS, the lifestyle of the Kalaupapa Settlement is unique due to its history and remote location; and

WHEREAS, there are numerous allegations that excessive or inappropriate expenditures and decisions are being made regarding the Kalaupapa Settlement, including:

(1) Unwarranted trial pay for certain workers;

(2) The purchase of appliances and other equipment for staff, while patients are required to pay for these expenses with their own funds;

(3) Overtime abuse, including inappropriate application of flextime and stand-by time;

(4) The reduction of the hours of operation of the only store in the Kalaupapa Settlement; and

(5) The purchase of merchandise in excess of residents' needs and the disposing of the excess inventory;

and

WHEREAS, some believe that workers are getting preferential treatment and care over the patients' needs; and

WHEREAS, some further believe that this abuse of state moneys is being done to provide justification for the closing of the Kalaupapa Settlement; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an audit of operations and expenditures involving the Kalaupapa Settlement, including addressing the concerns and issues raised in this Concurrent Resolution and other concerns that may be ascertained during the audit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to make recommendations on how moneys appropriated to take care of the Hansen's disease patients are best allocated and expended to ensure the best care and treatment of these patients who wish to live out their lives in the Kalaupapa Settlement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the subject matter Chairperson or Chairperson of the House Committee on Finance are requested to hold public informational briefings on the Auditor's report; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, the Director of Health, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to each Hansen's disease patient currently residing in the Kalaupapa Settlement.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Requesting a audit of the operations and expenditures of the Kalaupapa Settlement.