STAND. COM. REP. NO. 698

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1209

       S.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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1209 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EAST KAUAI IRRIGATION SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation to operate and maintain the East Kauai Irrigation System.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Russell S. Kokubun, Chairperson, Board of Agriculture; Derek S.K. Kawakami, Kauai County Council; Roy Oyama, President, Kauai County Farm Bureau; Jerry Ornellas, President, East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative; John R. Gordines, Hawaii Tropical Flowers and Foliage Association-Kauai Chapter; and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to the measure from one individual.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson, Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that the twenty-two miles of ditch and the three reservoirs that comprise the East Kauai Irrigation System are critical for a number of reasons.  This system provides water for agricultural crops in Kapaa, horticulture in Fern Grotto, and many recreational activities that center around its reservoirs.

     The East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative has not been issued an appropriation in the past two years.  This appropriation will help the Cooperative to continue to operate and maintain the East Kauai Irrigation System, ensuring its users have sufficient water for their various needs.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1209, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1209, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair