Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2235, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Pacific Center for Ecosystem Science within the University of Hawaii to assist the State in addressing top priority conservation issues and to support conservation biology and natural resources management.

Furthermore, this measure also appropriates funds for operating expenditures and capital improvement projects.

Your Committee finds that the center will play an important role in the defense of the State's native ecosystems from the threat of invasive alien species. The center will protect Hawaii's unique environment by being a world-class facility for research, teaching, management, and funding.

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. 2235, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.