STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1235_______

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.C.R. No. 44
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which
was referred H.C.R. No. 44 entitled: 

     "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY OF THE
     FEASIBILITY OF UNDERGROUNDING OVERHEAD UTILITY FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request a study of the
feasibility of systematically relocating overhead utility
facilities to underground, on islands in this State with
populations exceeding 500,000.

     The Department of Transportation supported the intent of the
resolution, stating that it will help to clarify some of the
significant issues associated with undergrounding of overhead
utility facilities.  GTE and Na Leo Pohai supported the
resolution with proposed amendments.  Hawaiian Electric Company,
Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company
supported the intent of the measure and suggested some
amendments.  Kauai Electric, although stating that it would not
be impacted by this resolution, provided comments and
recommendations.  An individual member of Malama O Manoa
submitted testimony supporting the resolution.    

     Your Committee recognizes that the issues surrounding the
undergrounding of overhead utility facilities are complex and
multi-faceted, and affect this State on many levels, including
residents individually, neighborhoods, highways and other
infrastructure, and our tourist industry.  Your Committee finds

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1235_______
                                 Page 2

 
that the study requested in this resolution would be
indispensable to formulating a sound public policy for future
legislation relating to this important matter.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to
this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose
of H.C.R. No. 44, and recommends that it be referred to the
Committee on Finance.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Consumer
                                   Protection and Commerce,



                                   ______________________________
                                   RON MENOR, Chair