Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 115, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for casket liners and to address the soil problems at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Your Committee finds that the Kaneohe cemetery is Hawaii's only state run facility that serves veterans and their family members. The cemetery is a place of peace and tranquillity where comrades-in-arms and friends can visit the final resting-place of departed veterans.

Unfortunately, this peace and tranquillity has been disturbed by soil problems in the area. A recent study has found that the cemetery's soil is not suitable for re-use as back-fill in graves due to its composition and moisture content. Consequently, the substandard soil cannot provide the necessary support for graves and headstones, causing them to sink in unsightly holes that mar the landscape and desecrate the sanctity of the cemetery. In order to remedy the soil problem, appropriate soil and casket liners are necessary.

Your Committee has amended the bill by expanding the scope of the assistance provided to members of the armed forces by:

Your Committee has also changed the appropriation amount specified for the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery to an unspecified amount.

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 H.B. No. 115, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 115, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.