STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1422-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 97

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 97 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CIVIL DEFENSE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ALLOWING THE FACILITIES AT LUALUALEI, WHICH ARE OWNED BY THE UNITED STATES NAVY, TO BE USED AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR CIVILIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Civil Defense Division of the Department of Defense to study the feasibility of using the United States Navy facilities at Lualualei Naval Magazine to provide emergency shelter for civilians.

     Specifically, this measure requests the Civil Defense Division to examine:

(1)  Any necessary agreements between the State and the United States Navy;

(2)  The sufficiency and capacity of the Lualualei Naval Magazine facilities to provide emergency shelter;

(3)  Logistical challenges to making all or part of the facilities available to civilians for use during an emergency;

(4)  Any costs involved; and

(5)  Any other pertinent issues.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services and a resident of the Waianae Coast.  The Department of Defense submitted comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that providing adequate emergency shelter space for Hawaii's residents and visitors should be a priority for the State.  The Waianae Coast of Oahu is home to approximately sixty thousand residents, who have only one major roadway into and out of the area.  Previous emergencies caused by traffic accidents, strong winds, and other circumstances have brought traffic to a stand still on the leeward coast, causing hardship to residents who live or work in the area.  A feasibility study on using the nearby Lualualei Naval Magazine facilities as an emergency shelter may expand the available options for protecting area residents during an emergency or natural disaster.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 97 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair