STAND. COM. REP. NO.  593-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2848

      H.D. 2

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. 2848, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reestablish highly-recognized native Hawaiian cultural practices to reduce recidivism, prevent crime, and ensure long-term positive changes by directing the Department of Public Safety, working with stakeholder groups, to prepare a plan for the creation of a wellness center, preferably on the site formerly used as the Kulani Correctional Facility.

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Blueprint for Change, Hawaii Prison News, Ohana Hoopakele, Community Alliance on Prisons, Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, Malu Aina, Aupuni O Hawaii, and many concerned individuals supported the measure.  The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Department of Public Safety offered comments on the measure.

     Your Committee notes that the site formerly used as the Kulani Correctional Facility is the preferred location for the wellness center because it is a place of deep spirituality for the Hawaiian people and, pragmatically, it has the infrastructure and historical precedent for use in sustainable living.  However, your Committee also notes that there may be other locations that can serve as options in determining a viable and ideal site for a wellness center.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Establishing a Wellness Center Task Force within the Legislative Reference Bureau to move forward with the concept of pu‘uhonua, or wellness center; and

     (2)  Establishing a location for the wellness center on lands owned or controlled by the State with preference given to the site formerly used as the Kulani Correctional Facility in east Hawaii.

     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. 2848, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2848, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair