STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2782

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1304

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1304, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIANS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a means to provide guidance on Native Hawaiian issues to certain state elected officials and members of boards and commissions.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Establishes the Native Hawaiian Health Advisory Council to provide guidance to the Governor and Legislature on issues that impact Native Hawaiians and their communities;

 

(2)  Requires the Native Hawaiian Health Advisory Council to establish, update, and maintain a directory or registry of Native Hawaiian professionals and community leaders possessing an understanding of Hawaiian culture and who are appropriate for leadership positions and appointment to state and county boards and commissions; and

 

(3)  Establishes the composition of the Native Hawaiian Health Advisory Council.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Hoomanapono Political Action Committee; OCC Legislative Priorities Committee, Democratic Party of Hawaii; The Queen's Health Systems; and five individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, Papa Ola Lokahi, Na Puuwai, Hoola Lahui Hawaii, Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program at Papa Ola Lokahi, and one individual.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs submitted written comments on this measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that instead of establishing a new advisory council to provide guidance on Native Hawaiian issues, it would be more appropriate, efficient, and economical to require all members of boards, commissions, and councils to attend the existing training course administered by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by replacing the contents with a requirement that all members of state and county boards, commissions, and councils, except for county legislative bodies, attend the training course administered by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs related to Native Hawaiian and Hawaiian rights, practices, and responsibilities.  

 

     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. 1304, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1304, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair