STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3250

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 138

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 138 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DISAPPROVING THE SALARY INCREASES RECOMMENDED BY THE SALARY COMMISSION FOR THE TRUSTEES OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to disapprove the salary increases recommended by the salary commission for the Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. 

     Prior to the hearing on this measure, a proposed draft was circulated which amended the title and purpose of this measure to request a financial and management audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     Testimony in support of the proposed draft of the measure was submitted by Na Koa Ikaika o Ka Lahui Hawaii, Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, Hawaiian Political Action Council of Hawaii, and seventeen individuals.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Winer Meheula and Devins, State Attorney General, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, and six individuals.  The executive director of the Native Hawaiian Education Council, testifying in his individual capacity, submitted comments on this measure.

     Your Committee advised those present at the hearing that the purpose of the proposed draft of this measure was to respond to the numerous requests made by beneficiaries of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the community.  Your Committee notes that the testimony received reflected a concern in both the general community and the Hawaiian community over the management of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Your Committee further notes that part of the reason for these feelings of mistrust may be the findings set forth in previous audit reports relating to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Further, your Committee strongly recommends that the requested audit be utilized as an opportunity for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to address or dispel the various concerns expressed by its beneficiaries and the community.

     Your Committee has amended the proposed draft of this measure to accurately reflect the reason for its introduction.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 138, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 138, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair