STAND. COM. REP. NO. 463

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 800

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 800 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO STUDY ALTERNATIVES FOR THE REHABILITATION AND RENOVATION OF THE STATE CAPITOL REFLECTING POOL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a study to determine various alternatives for the rehabilitation and renovation of the Hawaii State Capitol reflecting pool.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii State Capitol building is a significant work of public architecture in Hawaii and is listed on the Hawaii and National Registers of Historic Places.  The Capitol building was designed to reflect the unique culture, history, and physical environment of the State, and the reflecting pools are an integral component of the vision of Hawaii evoked by the Capitol.

     Since the completion of the 77,000 square foot reflecting pools in 1969, there have been various maintenance issues and concerns regarding leaks, algae, dead fish, water circulation, odor, and the general poor condition of the pools.  Currently water appears to be leaking due to the deterioration of the waterproof liner and it is infiltrating the foundation and, if left unaddressed, could lead to structural damages that would require extensive, time-consuming, and extremely costly repairs.  Pool water that is lost through evaporation or leaks is replenished with water from two underground wells that are located beneath the basement of the Capitol, and the compromised water source results in brackish water that promotes the growth of algae.  Poor circulation of the water and the presence of various species of fish also contribute to the foul odors smelled near the pools and their overall unacceptable condition.

     Your Committee finds that despite a comprehensive property condition report on the reflecting pools prepared for the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) in 2004 outlining the deficiencies in the pools and recommending potential remedies, and a 2011 report completed by DAGS regarding a visual and water quality update on the reflecting pools, renovation work on the pools has never been completed and the condition of the pools continues to worsen.  Your Committee further finds that the maintenance challenges regarding the reflecting pools have been a long-standing issue, and emphasizes the need to finally find a permanent solution to the problem, including viable alternatives to the pools, while preserving the integrity, cultural significance, and historical character of the structure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 800 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair