STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3411
Honolulu, Hawaii
President of the Senate
Thirty-Second State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 73 entitled:
"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT A NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY WATCH IN EACH HOMESTEAD AREA,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to adopt and implement a neighborhood security watch in each homestead area.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
Your Committee finds that state law enforcement officers and county police officers are inconsistent in their response to requests for law enforcement service on lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (Department) as they often seek permission from the Department before entering homestead lands to investigate illegal activity. Consequently, illegal activities on homestead lands have festered and worsened, causing homesteaders to organize themselves to protect their communities by becoming homestead Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW) volunteers. NSW volunteers are well-trained and work closely with law enforcement officers to ensure safety in their communities. This measure will promote the safety and security of homestead lands by urging the Department to adopt and implement a Neighborhood Security Watch in each homestead area.
Your Committee notes that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is currently utilizing a multi-pronged approach, including the establishment of a Permitted Interaction Group (P.I.G.) to study and recommend strategies related to safety and the enforcement of lease terms and conditions on Hawaiian Home Lands. Your Committee also notes that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has been working to fill vacant positions for the Compliance and Enforcement Team at the Department and the Department is aware of the current collaborative efforts between neighborhood security watch groups, law enforcement, and the Department.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 73 and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,
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________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair |
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