Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 314, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy to review and report on the long-term development of observatory sites on the summit of Mauna Kea.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Interim Vice President for Research of the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds while the Institute for Astronomy has become one of the University of Hawaii's most successful scientific programs and most respected astronomical institutions in the world, there is need for a balance between the support for science and respect for the cultural and environmental sensitivities of Hawaii's people. Ultimately, a limit must be placed on future development of the Mauna Kea summit, and this long-term development report is the first step in this process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 314, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.