Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1156 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to establish and maintain a registry of all Hawaiians regardless of place of residence.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is the state agency charged with the responsibility of bettering the condition of Hawaiians and native Hawaiians. Your Committee finds that, in order for the office to discharge its duties in an appropriate manner, the office needs a process to identify who and where its beneficiaries are. As there is a significant amount of migration of Hawaiians and native Hawaiians in and out of the State, according to education, employment, and family plans, it is necessary for the Office to keep track of all Hawaiians and native Hawaiians, regardless of place of residence.

Your Committee notes that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs currently has a program in place creating such a registry, which functions within the office's existing budget. This bill will codify that program without the need for additional appropriations.

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. 1156 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.