STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1544

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 47

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.R. No. 47 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO STUDY POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT PLAN, FOR SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to study potential solutions and make recommendations for a long-term management plan for Sunset Memorial Park.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Your Committee finds that the years of neglect at Sunset Memorial Park in Pearl City, Oahu, has led to a damaged mausoleum, sinking graves, and overgrown grass and bushes that cover up hundreds of graves. In response, the Legislature enacted Act 193, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018 (Act 193), to require, among other things, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services, to develop both short-term and long-term strategies for the upkeep, repair, and maintenance of the cemetery. Your Committee finds that almost five years have passed since the enactment of Act 193, and a long-term plan is still not in place. Therefore, this measure requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to study and recommend a long-term management plan for Sunset Memorial Park.

Notwithstanding, your Committee has heard the testimony of the Legislative Reference Bureau, which expressed their concern that they do not have the subject matter expertise or personnel necessary to carry out such a study. Instead, the Legislative Reference Bureau suggested that a working group comprising relevant and knowledgeable parties might provide a better path forward.

Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting the convening of a Sunset Memorial Park Working Group to study potential solutions and make recommendations for a long-term management plan, instead of the Legislative Reference Bureau;

(2) Requesting the Sunset Memorial Park Working Group to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024;

(3) Adding the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the list of those designated to receive a certified copy of this Resolution;

(4) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 47, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 47, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair