Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 17, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge and authorize the Governor to establish a state-province relationship between Hawaii and the province of Ilocos Norte of the Republic of the Philippines.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that the State of Hawaii and the Philippines have maintained close ties over the years, as set forth in the body of this measure. Therefore, your Committee supports formalizing this relationship.

Your Committee also supports a five-year introductory period for any new state-province relationships such as this one. At the end of the five-year period, the State can better review the advantages and merit of the relationship.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 17, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.