HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

165

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS AND EXPENDITURES.

 

WHEREAS, patients with Hansen's disease were once forced into exile at Kalaupapa Settlement on the island of Molokai; and

WHEREAS, the State recognizes the injustice suffered by these individuals and has committed resources to allow these Hansen's disease patients to live out their lives in the Kalaupapa Settlement as long as they desire; and

WHEREAS, the number of patients has dwindled to less than 50; and

WHEREAS, there are now more state and federal workers than patients residing at the Kalaupapa Settlement; and

WHEREAS, the single most important reason for keeping the Kalaupapa Settlement open is for the benefit of the patients; and

WHEREAS, the lifestyle of the Kalaupapa Settlement is unique because of its history and remote location; and

WHEREAS, there are numerous allegations that excessive or inappropriate expenditures and decisions are being made regarding the Kalaupapa Settlement, including:

(1) Unwarranted trail pay for certain workers;

(2) The purchase of appliances and other equipment for staff, while patients are required to pay for these expenses with their own funds;

(3) Overtime abuse, including inappropriate application of flextime and stand-by time;

(4) The reduction of the hours of operation of the only store in the Kalaupapa Settlement; and

(5) The purchase of merchandise in excess of residents' needs and the disposing of the excess inventory;

and

WHEREAS, some believe that workers are receiving preferential treatment and care over the patients' needs; and

WHEREAS, some further believe that the abuse of state moneys is occurring to provide justification for the closing of the Kalaupapa Settlement; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an audit of operations and expenditures involving the Kalaupapa Settlement, including addressing the concerns and issues raised in this Concurrent Resolution and other concerns that may be ascertained during the audit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to make recommendations on how moneys appropriated to care for the Hansen's disease patients could be best allocated and expended to ensure the best care and treatment of the patients who wish to live out their lives at the Kalaupapa Settlement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Finance are requested to hold public informational briefings on the Auditor's report; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Director of Health, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to each Hansen's disease patient currently residing at the Kalaupapa Settlement.

Report Title:

Kalaupapa Settlement Audit