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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: August 19, 1997 Re: Comm. No. 420 <br /> PLACE: Councilroom <br /> TIME: 10:55 A.M. <br /> Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Communication No. 420, reports as follows: <br /> Communication No. 420, transmitted by Hawaii State Association of Counties Secretary- <br /> Treasurer AI Smith, dated July 28, 1997, submits highlights of the Executive Committee meeting <br /> and requests the support of Honolulu Council Resolution Nos. 97-126, CD-1 and 97-212. <br /> Resolution No. 97-126, CD-1 states in recent U.S. and Japan air rights negotiations 40 percent of <br /> a segment ofJapan-Ilawaii routes were eliminated which drastically reduced a growing part of <br /> Hawaii's tourism base. Therefore, Resolution No. 97-126, CD-1 urges the U.S. Department of <br /> <br /> Transportation to recognize Hawaii's geographic constraints and dependence on air <br /> <br /> transportation routes for its economic viability, and asks that Hawaii be given special <br /> <br /> consideration similar to that being granted to Guam and Alaska. The resolution further urges <br /> Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to oppose efforts which diminish air routes to Hawaii. <br /> Resolution No. 97-212 states the purpose of the enterprise zone program is to encourage county- <br /> <br /> driven economic initiatives and stimulate certain types of business activity and employment in <br /> areas where they are most needed or most appropriate. In accordance with Section 209E-4 of the <br /> <br /> Hawaii Revised Statues, which authorizes counties to designate enterprise zones with the <br /> <br /> approval of the governor, the City designated an enterprise zone encompassing the area from <br /> <br /> Haleiwa to Waialua. The 1997 Legislature then approved Senate Bi1137, SD1, HD2, CD1, <br /> <br /> which expands the county-established North Shore enterprise zone, directly contradicting the <br /> <br /> intent and spirit of Section 2049E, HRS, by usurping county home-rule and empowering the <br /> <br /> State to establish the boundaries of economic zones, rather than to approve them as mandated by <br /> <br /> law. <br /> Resolution No. 97-212 urges the Hawaii State government to comply with Section 209E-4 of the <br /> <br /> Hawaii Revised Statutes, which authorizes counties to designate enterprise zones, with the <br /> <br /> governor's approval. <br /> Your Committee unanimously supported Honolulu Council's Resolution Nos. 97-126, CD-] and <br /> 97-212. <br /> FC REPORT NO. 121 <br /> <br />