Makes appropriations from emergency budget and reserve fund for senior centers of the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center, Moiliili Community Center, and Waikiki Community Center.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that this measure is necessary to maintain levels of current senior center programs at Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center, Moiliili Community Center, and Waikiki Community Center that the legislature hereby finds to be essential to public health, safety, welfare, and education.

Many seniors use the centers to get away from home for a few hours a week; others think of them as their second home. Every day senior citizens come, they play and they give back to their peers as volunteers. Hundreds of people drop by every day. Sometimes they sing or sew, sometimes they play pool or mahjong. Always, it is a place of sharing, a community of like-minded people. It is a way to long life, health, and happiness. Senior centers provided everything from craft classes to hot meals, advice on taxes, Social Security and health, and a simple escape from the daily grind of living alone. Classes and activities typically include karaoke, hula, sewing, tai chi, Hawaiian quilting, line dancing, embroidery, ‘ukulele, koto, mahjong, billiards, feather craft, tap dancing, Bible study, stretching, and bingo.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for senior center programs.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general fund the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Honolulu for the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general fund the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the senior center program at the Moiliili Community Center.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general fund the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the senior center program at the Waikiki Community Center.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.