STAND. COM. REP. NO.  132-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2181

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2181 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VACANCIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the deadline to file nomination papers associated with filling a vacancy in the membership of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to ensure compliance with provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, P.L. 111-84, mandating the mailing of absentee ballots to uniformed and overseas voters no later than 45 days prior to an election.

The Office of Elections, Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Waianae Kai Homestead Association, Sovereign Mokupuni O Oahu, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, and two individuals supported the measure.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs offered comments on the measure.

     Your Committee notes that some proponents of this measure expressed interest in further strengthening elections for the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs by instituting a primary election in addition to the current general election for those positions.  Your Committee finds that the issue merits continuing discussion.

     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. 2181 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair