STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3634

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 146

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.R. No. 146 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM; EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF AGING; AND COUNTY OF HAWAII OFFICE OF AGING TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE NECESSITY AND FEASIBILITY OF A SENIOR LIVING CENTER IN THE KA‘U DISTRICT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Executive Office on Aging; and County of Hawaii Office of Aging to conduct a study on the necessity and feasibility of establishing a Senior Living Center in the Ka‘ū district in the County of Hawai‘i.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Ocean View Community Association. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committees find that ensuring access to necessary support services is essential in maintaining the well-being and quality of life of our kupuna. Your Committees also find that many residents in Ka‘ū face cultural, financial, and geographical barriers that prevent them from accessing various services. The report requested in this measure will allow policy makers to determine the needs of the elderly residents in the Ka‘ū district and whether establishment of a senior living center is necessary and feasible to address them.

Your Committees note the testimony of the Executive Office on Aging, stating that it does not have the expertise or funding to conduct a feasibility study requested in this measure.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, is requested to conduct the study, in coordination and cooperation with the Executive Office on Aging and County of Hawai‘i Office of Aging;

(2) Amending its title to reflect this clarification; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 146, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 146, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair