Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 861, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the continued operation and maintenance of agriculture-related infrastructure on Kauai.

Your Committee finds that Kauai, like other islands with a sugar plantation history, is faced with the loss of sugar production and a need to find viable agricultural replacements. In the case of Kauai, there exists an agriculture-related infrastructure that could go to waste if not maintained properly. If properly maintained, however, this infrastructure can benefit efforts to sustain an agriculture industry. For example, infrastructures such as water irrigation systems, electrical distribution systems, and pumping stations could be used by truck farms and other agricultural businesses. The funds provided in this measure would help to continue agricultural efforts in the Kekaha and Hanamaulu-Wailua areas.

Your Committee has amended this bill by changing both appropriations of $540,000 to blank amounts, to promote further discussion of this issue, and has made technical, nonsubstantive amendments to the purpose section.

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 H.B. No. 861, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 861, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.