STAND. COM. REP. NO. 862

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 400

       H.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 400, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the operating and capital improvement budgets of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for fiscal years 2011-2012 and 2012‑2013.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Papa Ola Lokahi, Aha Kiole Advisory Committee, and Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

     Your Committee finds that this measure, as amended by the House Committee on Finance, would reduce state General Fund monies to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs by $98,787 during each fiscal year of the biennium period 2011-2013.  Your Committee has heard that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs does not oppose the adjustments proposed in this measure, as the decrease has a direct correlation to the continued economic downturn as well as efforts by the State to reduce its significant operating deficit.  Your Committee supports the response by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs that limited resources must be used efficiently in challenging circumstances.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 400, H.D. 1, 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 Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

BRICKWOOD GALUTERIA, Chair