STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3504

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 128

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation, to which was referred S.R. No. 128 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION RENAMING THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAII AUTHORITY AS THE GEORGE R. ARIYOSHI NATURAL ENERGY LAB,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to honor former Governor Ariyoshi, whose vision for the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority has become synonymous with the current vision for a sustainable future for Hawaii by renaming the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) as the "George R. Ariyoshi Natural Energy Laboratory".

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152; the ILWU Local 142; and one individual.  The Hawaii Aquaculture Association submitted comments.

     Your Committee wishes to voice its strong support for the intent of this measure, which is to honor and acknowledge Governor Ariyoshi, who was so instrumental in the development of this facility and the development of the Hawaii aquaculture industry.  However, since energy research and development is only a portion of past and present activities at this facility, and since aquaculture research, development, and commercialization has long been the primary activity at the facility, both past and present, your Committee agrees with the comments of the Hawaii Aquaculture Association, that a more inclusive name would be more appropriate.

     Your Committee urges the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, under whose purview NELHA operates, and the Department of Accounting and General Services, which has the primary responsibility for state facilities, to meet with the introducer of this measure to determine an appropriate name for the multi-purpose state facility, while honoring Governor Ariyoshi.  In determining the most appropriate name for the NELHA facility, the parties are requested to consider the primary current and projected uses, including aquaculture.  The parties are also requested to convey this information to all subsequent committees to which this measure is referred, in order to amend the language appropriately.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 128 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Taxation,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair