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 S.B. No. 1399, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to provide emergency advanced life support ambulance service to the residents of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the island of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that a serious deprivation of emergency ambulance services exists in Hawaii county. Unacceptably long and life-threatening delays have occurred for residents of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates when the only ambulance in the area, which is located in Na`alehu, is already on call. Delays can last up to two hours.

While emergency medical technicians are available, they can only provide basic life support until a backup advanced life support ambulance with mobile intensive care technicians can arrive. Your Committee finds that delays in the provision of emergency medical care because of geography need to be addressed.

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. 1399, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.