Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2573 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to strengthen watershed management efforts in the State through a pilot program.

Specifically, this bill designates the Kaiaka Bay watershed on Oahu as the site for a pilot watershed and action plan that may serve as a model for statewide use. This bill also appropriates $200,000 to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii at Manoa for this undertaking.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Resource Management Systems, LLC, Haleiwa Community Gardens Association, a University of Hawaii professor, and residents of Waialua testified in support of this bill.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2573 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.