STAND. COM. REP. NO. 483

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 847

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water and Land and International Affairs and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 847 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DIAMOND HEAD STATE MONUMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the planning, design, and construction of a visitor and interpretative center at Diamond Head State Monument if the Department of Land and Natural Resources seeks private or federal funds.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Diamond Head Citizens Advisory Committee, and one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

     Your Committees find that the Diamond Head State Monument is one of the icons that represent Hawaii around the world and attracted over one million visitors in 2016.  Your Committees further find that there is a critical need for a visitor and interpretive center at the State Monument to enrich the current visitor experience by offering enhanced education, services, and management of this heavily visited and significant attraction.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and International Affairs and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 847 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and International Affairs and the Arts,

________________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair