Report Title:

Puea Cemetery; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for maintenance and upkeep of Puea Cemetery in Kapalama.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1066

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation for puea cemetery.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. In many of the cultures that make up our State, great importance is placed on respecting and revering one's ancestors. Island residents regularly visit gravesites to honor deceased family members and friends. Therefore, it is fitting that these final resting places be maintained in a manner that respects those whose remains are contained within their boundaries.

The Puea Cemetery in Kapalama is one of four major state cemeteries on Oahu. The oldest marker in the cemetery dates back to 1903 and other markers indicate that the buried include persons of Hawaiian, Filipino, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Puerto Rican, Korean, English, and Irish ancestry. A portion of the cemetery, owned by the Kaahumanu Society, is well maintained and protected by a chain link fence. However, the rest of the cemetery is not fenced in or otherwise contained. As a result, the cemetery, which is located within an urban, residential area and adjacent to public roads and walkways, suffers from the thoughtless and disrespectful actions of those who litter the grounds, walk over graves, and walk their pets through the cemetery.

In Act 160, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, the legislature, recognizing the importance of protecting and maintaining our ancestral gravesites, appropriated funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the Nanakuli Homestead Cemetery. The legislature finds that the appropriation of funds is also warranted to preserve and maintain Puea Cemetery.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the maintenance and upkeep of Puea Cemetery.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, for the maintenance and upkeep of the Puea Cemetery.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The department of accounting and general services shall submit a report to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2004 regular session on the actions taken and the moneys expended to maintain and upkeep the Puea Cemetery.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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