Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 949 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to the Lanakila Multi-purpose Senior Center (Center) for improvements that its program funding cannot afford.

Catholic Charities Elderly Services testified in support of this measure. The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Executive Office on Aging supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee recognizes that the Center is a worthwhile cause whose mission is to enrich the lives of the elderly and to keep them active in the community. However, its program has been operating on limited funds from the Office of Aging. Catholic Charities supports the operations of the Center above and beyond what is provided by government funding.

The Center is in desperate need of repair at an estimated cost of $1,600,000. However, the seniors realize that the State's economy cannot accommodate all of the repairs required and ask for an appropriation to repair those facilities which are dangerous, non-compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and potential health risks.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 949, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 949, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.