STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1444

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 85

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 85 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE OF HAWAIIAN LEADERS, LEGAL SCHOLARS, AND A BROAD REPRESENTATION OF MEMBERS OF THE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER WHETHER ITS FIDUCIARY DUTY TO BETTER THE CONDITIONS OF HAWAIIANS AND MANAGE ITS RESOURCES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES WOULD BE BETTER SERVED BY HAVING TRUSTEES APPOINTED RATHER THAN ELECTED,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to convene a group of Hawaiian leaders, legal scholars, and Hawaiian community members to:

     (1)  Review whether the manner of selecting and seating OHA trustees could be improved through a process by which trustees are appointed rather than elected;

     (2)  Consider the appropriate appointing authority; and

     (3)  Consider how to develop a list of the best qualified potential trustees for submittal to the appointing authority.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from two individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. 

     Your Committee finds that this measure provides a mechanism to encourage serious discussion and sober consideration of effective alternatives to the existing governance structure of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Your Committee supports the concept of providing opportunities for Hawaiians to discuss the governance structure of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and believes this measure should continue in the legislative process.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 85 and recommends its adoption.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair