Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 266 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to increase cargo space at Honolulu Harbor while working to preserve the University of Hawaii Marine Center (Marine Center) by requesting that the University of Hawaii (UH) collaborate with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to pursue on a priority basis the relocation of the Marine Center from the former Kapalama Military Reservation (KMR), Honolulu Harbor.

DOT, Hawaii Harbor Users Group (HHUG), The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Alexander and Baldwin, Inc., Matson Navigation Company, Inc., A&B Properties, Inc., Horizon Lines, LLC, Young Brothers, Limited, and Maritime Consultants of the Pacific testified in support of this concurrent resolution. UH, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), and numerous concerned professors and individuals testified in opposition to this measure. Numerous individuals submitted comments on this measure.

Your Committees find that harbor space at Honolulu Harbor is at a premium and that cargo space is expected to reach capacity by 2011. Increasing container space and the requisite facilities of Honolulu Harbor to handle increased cargo is of the utmost importance for the well-being of the people of this state. KMR was purchased by the State with the intent to use KMR to expand the cargo handling capacity and capability of Honolulu Harbor.

However, your Committees are also cognizant of the fact that the Marine Center, located at Snug Harbor at KMR, is used by SOEST and other researchers, both from UH and around the world, to conduct marine research and educational programs that have a profound impact on the scientific community worldwide. The Marine Center also provides Hawaii and UH with educational and economic advantages that are significant on both a national and international level.

Your Committees note that while space at Honolulu Harbor is finite and that increasing cargo space is important, preserving the Marine Center, a "jewel" of the UH System, is also of the utmost importance, and that DOT and UH need to work collaboratively to accomplish this task. However, accomplishing this task is daunting and may take increased financial resources. Your Committees find that in collaboratively developing relocation plans for the Marine Center, UH and DOT should also share in any relocation costs.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 266, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 266, H.D. 1.