Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 780 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to the Executive Office on Aging for future community-based elder wellness support systems meeting Hawaii's growing elderly population, including:

The Young Men's Christian Association of Honolulu Atherton Branch, Waikiki Health Center, Waikiki Community Center, Palolo Chinese Home, and a concerned citizen testified in support of this measure.

The Executive Office on Aging and Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committees find that Hawaii's population is aging rapidly. It is estimated that in ten years Hawaii will have an additional 100,000 seniors. Seniors have daily needs which sometimes require the assistance of others. Through collaborative effort with public and private agencies and private citizens, including seniors, a network can be created to assist seniors in meeting their needs. Developing and evaluating programs now will help to build a strong support system for our future seniors.

Your Committees note that a grant-in-aid is in process. However, it does not include funding for the University of Hawaii's evaluations and assessments of the projects.

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 780, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 780, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.