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 S.B. No. 1401, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of $250,000 in general obligation bonds, and to make an appropriation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, for fiscal year 2001-2002, for a strategic master plan for the Ala Wai watershed for effective community stewardship of the watershed and improved water quality.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is in the process of executing an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prepare the Ala Wai Watershed Federal Feasibility Study. The study, which is expected to take three and one-half years, will develop and analyze alternatives to improve water quality within the canal and tributary streams, address drainage and flooding concerns, mitigate sedimentation, and enhance recreational activities.

Mindful of the fact that engineering efforts alone cannot keep the Ala Wai canal clean, your Committee believes that community efforts aimed at stopping the kinds of human activities that degrade the watershed or contribute to the pollution of the Ala Wai canal, or both, are necessary components of effective water pollution prevention and water quality improvement programs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the sum authorized from $250,000 to $1.

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. 1401, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1401, S.D. 2.