STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1591

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 68

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.R. No. 68 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL AMBULANCE TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE MAKALEI AREA, KAILUA-KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to recognize the importance of an additional ambulance to serve residents in the Makalei area, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i County Council.

Your Committee finds the population of the Makalei area of Kailua-Kona, on the Island of Hawaii, has increased significantly over the years. However, primary care services are as far as thirty miles away from the area and can be challenging for the community to access because of distance, transportation issues, and economic challenges. As a result, the Makalei community relies heavily on emergency medical services. Your Committee recognizes that a new advanced life support ambulance to serve the Makalei area of Kailua-Kona will strengthen the existing emergency services infrastructure, which will improve health outcomes among residents and visitors in Kailua-Kona.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 68 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair