SCR2 - Makiki Library.doc

THE SENATE

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HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2006

STATE OF HAWAII

S.C.R. NO.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO RELEASE $4.5 MILLION TO RENOVATE AND

BUILD A COMMUNITY CENTER AT THE MAKIKI COMMUNITY LIBRARY.

WHEREAS, the Makiki Community Library was started in 1978

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in what was the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association experiment

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station; and

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WHEREAS, this private, nonprofit library at Makiki District

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Park is not part of the Hawaii State Library System, is operated

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by volunteers on an $11,000 annual budget, and has a collection

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of approximately 15,000 donated books; and

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WHEREAS, in 2004, the Legislature approved $4.5 million to

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repair the historic Makiki Community Library from further

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deterioration, and to build a community center which would

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include a computer learning center to assist primarily immigrant

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families; and

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WHEREAS, in June 2005, Governor Linda Lingle informed the

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Makiki Library Board that she would not release the funds that

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were appropriated by the Legislature, stating that it is not in

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the best interest of state taxpayers; and

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WHEREAS, after visiting the facility and weighing the

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available information, such as the lack of operational,

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maintenance, and security funding, the Governor said the

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building that the library operates out of is city-owned and

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city-operated, and therefore, it is the city, not the state, who

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is responsible for the building’s upkeep and any desired

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renovations or improvements; and

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WHEREAS, over the past several years, the City & County of

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Honolulu has provided more than $1.5 million to refurbish the

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dilapidated building and to renovate the facility to meet

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American with Disability Act standards; and

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SCR2 - Makiki Library.doc

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WHEREAS, honoring the Legislature’s commitment to this

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project will supplement the City’s efforts to provide a safe

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learning center for thousands of community residents, primarily

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immigrants and low-income individuals, who need the resources

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that the library provides; and

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WHEREAS, the Governor should consider how much the

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community gains from the library and at how little a cost to the

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state; now, therefore,

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BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Hawaii Silver

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Legislature of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring,

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that Governor Linda Lingle is requested to release the $4.5

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million in state funds to renovate and build a community center

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at the Makiki Community Library; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this

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concurrent resolution be transmitted to Governor of the State of

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Hawaii, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and the

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President of the Friends of Makiki Community Library.

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