STAND. COM. REP. NO.  588-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.B. No. 1961

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1961, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KAHO‘OLAWE REHABILITATION TRUST FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to help restore the island of Kaho‘olawe by providing long term funding for the Kaho‘olawe Rehabilitation Trust Fund (Fund).  This bill requires ocean recreational activity business operators conducting tours to and near Molokini Island to collect a $1 surcharge from each customer.  All proceeds from the surcharge shall be deposited into the Fund, except for administrative expenses.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Kauai Sea Tours, Atlantis Adventures, Captain Zodiac Rafting Adventure, Fair Wind Cruises, Frogman Charters, Blue Water Rafting, and several concerned individuals opposed this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1961, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair