STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3585

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 294

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Education and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 294 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MOVE EXPEDITIOUSLY TO IMPLEMENT PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANCER RESEARCH CENTER OF HAWAII AT KAKAAKO,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii and supporting members of the community to move forward as expeditiously as possible in implementing plans for the development of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii in Kakaako.

     Comments on the measure were submitted by the University of Hawaii System.

     Your Committees find that the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii is a research unit of the University of Hawaii that was established by the Board of Regents as a freestanding independent institute in 1981.  The Center works to reduce the burden of cancer through research, education, and service with an emphasis on the unique ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaii and the Pacific.  Your Committees further find that the Center is one of only sixty-one National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the country, which translates into increased cancer research funding and receipt of research grants and contracts.  The Board of Regents approved the construction of new facilities for the Center in Kakaako and additional funding has been directed by the Legislature to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund for the Center's research and operations.

     This measure urges the University of Hawaii and supporting community members to proceed expeditiously toward the development of the new Cancer Research Center of Hawaii in Kakaako.  Your Committees believe that the expansion and improvement of the Center's facilities to include a state-of-the-art cancer care facility will enhance the Center's ability to provide necessary cancer research and care to our residents and individuals throughout the Pacific.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 294, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health,

____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair