THE SENATE                           S.R. NO.              69
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                    SENATE  RESOLUTION

  REQUESTING A REVIEW OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE CAPITOL REFLECTING
    POND.


 1        WHEREAS, the reflecting pool surrounding Hawaii's State
 2   Capitol is an integral part of the original design of the
 3   Capitol, embodying the concept of Hawaii as an oceanic island
 4   state; and
 5   
 6        WHEREAS, prior to the renovation of the Capitol in 1991,
 7   the reflecting pool was stocked with tilapia which may have
 8   controlled the growth of algae; and
 9   
10        WHEREAS, after the renovation of the Capitol, the pool was
11   not restocked with tilapia or any other kinds of fish; and
12   
13        WHEREAS, there is a problem of uncontrolled growth of
14   algae in the reflecting pool which is unsightly and produces an
15   unpleasant odor; and
16   
17        WHEREAS, currently, maintenance of the reflecting pool is
18   costing the State $74,100 annually which includes the cost of
19   continuous cleaning of the pool in an attempt to control the
20   algae; and
21   
22        WHEREAS, the water supply to the pool is brackish which
23   may be contributing to the uncontrolled growth of algae; and
24   
25        WHEREAS, an article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin on
26   December 28, 1998, stated that:
27   
28        (1)  The pools at the Blaisdell Center are stocked with
29             algae eating fish and predator fish to control both
30             algae and fish populations;
31   
32        (2)  The pools at the Blaisdell Center are maintained for
33             $7,200; and 
34   
35        (3)  The manager of the State's Aquaculture program states
36             that the reflecting pools at the Capitol are
37             shallower and exposed to more sunlight than the
38             Blaisdell pools which may make it difficult to stock
39             the reflecting pools with the appropriate mix of fish

 
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                                  S.R. NO.              69
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1             and other algae eating organisms;
 2   
 3   and
 4   
 5        WHEREAS, the Governor has directed the Comptroller to find
 6   a way to decrease the cost of controlling algae in the
 7   reflecting pool; and
 8   
 9        WHEREAS, the American Institute of Architects State
10   Council supports the continued preservation of the original
11   design for the State Capitol and suggests using potable water
12   in the pool and recycling this water into the irrigation system
13   of the Capitol grounds; and
14   
15        WHEREAS, in order to maintain the beauty and dignity of
16   the State Capitol, the problems arising from uncontrolled algae
17   growth in the reflecting pool's water must be addressed; now,
18   therefore, 
19   
20        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twentieth Legislature
21   of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1999, that the
22   Committee on Government Operations and Housing is requested to
23   review the conditions of the capitol reflecting pool, utilizing
24   the expertise of the Department of Health and the Department of
25   Accounting and General Services; and
26   
27        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee on Government
28   Operations and Housing conduct public hearings regarding the
29   problem of algae growth in the capitol reflecting pools; and
30   
31        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee on Government
32   Operations and Housing seek expert advice from architects,
33   artists, marine biologists, and public health officials on
34   possible solutions to the algae problem or alternative uses for
35   the area presently occupied by the capitol reflecting pool; and
36   
37        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee on Government
38   Operations and Housing report its findings and recommendations
39   to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
40   convening of the Regular Session 2000; and
41   
42        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
43   Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, the
44   Chair of the Committee on Government Operations and Housing,
45   the Director of Health, and the Comptroller.
46 
47 
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49                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________