Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2004, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the care and maintenance of veterans cemeteries on the island of Maui.

Your Committee finds that veterans cemeteries honor the men and women who gave their lives for their home and country. The intended tribute to these brave men and women, however, is diminished by the lack of care and adequate funding needed to maintain these cemeteries. The cost of the repair and maintenance of the veterans cemeteries on Maui has increased by nearly two hundred per cent from 1981 to 2003, but state assistance during this period has only increased by eleven per cent.

Although the funding amount is blank, your Committee will give due consideration to the care and maintenance of veterans cemeteries on Maui and will provide a determination on the amount pending final disposition of the state budget.

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. 2004, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.