STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2455

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2833

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2833 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to address the long range issues critical to Hawaii's way of life and natural resources and assure a sustainable outlook for future generations by adopting the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan.

     Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Sets forth and adopts the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan as a new chapter under title 13, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  Establishes a Sustainability Council to coordinate, implement, measure, and evaluate the progress of the Hawaii Sustainability Plan and its related activities; and

     (3)  Makes a blank appropriation to the Office of the Auditor to expend for the creation of the Sustainability Council.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Education; the Office of Economic Development, County of Kauai; the Department of Research and Development, County of Hawaii; the Hawaii State AFL-CIO; the Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers; the Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force; the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; the Nature Conservancy; the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools; The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; the Hawaii Science and Technology Council; the Aloha United Way; the ILWU Local 142; Pahio Development, Inc.; and three private individuals.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO; the Hawaii Business Roundtable; and the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.  The Executive Chambers submitted comments.

     A lot has changed in the three decades since the first Hawaii State Plan was established, including population growth and aging, technological advances, geopolitical circumstances, and social and environmental challenges.  In light of these local, regional, and global changes, and to better define and implement state goals, objectives, policies, and priority guidelines, the Legislature enacted Act 8, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, which created the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force to review the Hawaii State Plan and the State's planning process.  Furthermore, the Office of the Auditor was required to submit to the Legislature the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan, which was submitted in December 2007.

     The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan provides a framework for addressing vital quality-of-life and public policy issues, including land and water use, energy, public infrastructure, economic development, transportation, education, the arts, and health, and provides strategies to meet the needs of Hawaii's residents now and in the future.  Developing the Sustainability Plan required a tremendous amount of time, energy, and resources, however, the members of the Task Force were committed to providing a plan that creates a sustainable vision for Hawaii.  Extensive community engagement meetings were conducted statewide to allow an opportunity for the public to engage in the process of creating a sustainable future for Hawaii, and for the task force to gain insights from the public on their visions and hopes for the future.  Thus, the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan is the "People's Plan" as it incorporates the community's input and visions within its sustainability goals and objectives.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan is an important tool and guiding force for the State and that community engagement is vital for the development, implementation, and longevity of the plan.  Thus, it is important that the combined efforts of the Task Force, government and private sectors, and the community in creating the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan are recognized, set forth, and implemented.

     Your Committee heard concerns regarding the amount of funds that were appropriated since the establishment of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force in 2005.  Contrary to the testimony submitted by the Administration, only a total of $1,700,000 was expended for fiscal years 2005 to 2007 for the Task Force to plan community engagement and public education activities statewide, maintain its website and public awareness programs, conduct large conferences, and draft, finalize, and disseminate the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan.

     Your Committee recognizes concerns regarding the function of the Sustainability Council established in this measure to coordinate, implement, measure, and evaluate the progress of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan and its related activities.  The intention for the creation of the Sustainability Council is to serve in an advisory and non-regulatory capacity and was modeled after the functions and role of the Council on Revenues.  Furthermore, your Committee recognizes the important role and impact of Hawaii's youth as one of the intentions of the Sustainability Plan was to create a more sustainable future and outlook for generations to come.  Thus, your Committee encourages further participation from Hawaii's youth and recommends that the Sustainability Council appoint youth representatives to the advisory committees focusing on education and community engagement; marketing and public awareness; economic development and diversification; environment and natural resources; social and community development; and the Kanaka Maoli and island lifestyle.

     Your Committee believes that adopting the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan and creating a Sustainability Council to implement the Plan fulfills the intent of this measure, which is to address the long range issues critical to Hawaii's way of life and natural resources and assure a sustainable outlook for future generations.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2833 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair