Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 457 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide general obligation bonds for the purchase and redevelopment of the Molokai Electric Power Plant site by the Molokai Community Service Council for the establishment of a business incubator and telecommunications hub on the subject property.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Maui County Council Chair and Vice-Chair, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that a cleaned up, redeveloped Molokai electric power plant site will create a supportive environment for budding entrepreneurs by providing telecommunications infrastructure for business, health, and educational purposes to the Molokai community that is challenged by high unemployment, poverty rates, and limited economic opportunities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 457 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.