STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1780-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.C.R. No. 169

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 169 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTIES TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY CONCERNS COUNCILS IN RURAL AREAS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure as received by your Committee is to urge the county councils to develop and implement community concerns councils in their counties to serve rural communities within their respective jurisdictions with a population of 10,000 or less.

     For the purposes of a public hearing on this measure, your Committee circulated Proposed H.C.R. 169, H.D. 1, entitled "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF KOREATOWN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MASTER PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A KOREATOWN," and notified the public that it would be accepting testimony on the proposal which:

     (1)  Urges the establishment of a Koreatown; and

     (2)  Urges the Office of Planning in coordination with the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu to develop a master plan for the development of a Koreatown, which includes:

          (A)  Area boundaries;

          (B)  Incentives to promote and perpetuate further investment with Korea;

          (C)  A museum and cultural center highlighting Korea's contributions in culture, music, fashion, art and society in Hawaii and the world and including statues of Korean leaders from Hawaii; and

          (D)  Specialized design plans to reflect Korean architecture; and

     (3)  Requests the Office of Planning to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2013.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, the Korean Culture Center, and several individuals supported the Proposed H.C.R. 169, H.D. 1.  The Office of Planning and the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu opposed the Proposed H.C.R. 169, H.D. 1.

     Your Committee intended to adopt Proposed H.C.R. 169, H.D. 1; however it inadvertently passed the measure as received by your Committee without amendments.  Your Committee further intends to pursue the adoption of Proposed H.C.R. 169, H.D. 1 through a floor amendment.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 169 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources,

____________________________

JERRY L. CHANG, Chair