STAND. COM. REP. NO. 21

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 844

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 844 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support the important efforts of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force by appropriating funds for the development of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of the Auditor; the Office of Planning; the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; three members from the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force; and five private individuals.

     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 adopted 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 is required to submit to the Legislature the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan.

     The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan will provide 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 provide strategies to meet the needs of Hawaii's residents now and in the future.  The Sustainability Plan requires a tremendous amount of time, energy, and resources, however, the members of the Task Force are committed to providing a plan that will create a sustainable vision for Hawaii, and engage the community to ensure that sustainability goals and objectives are met.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan will be an important tool and guiding force for the State and that community engagement is vital for the development, implementation, and longevity of the plan.  Therefore, an appropriation of additional funds will assist the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force and the Office of the Auditor in planning additional community engagement and public education activities statewide, continuing its website and public awareness programs, conducting large conferences, and drafting, finalizing, and disseminating the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan, which will be submitted to the Legislature prior to the 2008 Regular Session.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 844 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair