Commission on the Year 2000

Corporate body

Commission on the Year 2000

1970-1981

The Commission on the Year 2000 was established by Act 96, Sess: 1 on Laws of Hawaiʻi 1970, which was signed by Gov. John A. Burns on June 16, 1970. The first commissioners were sworn in on March 23, 1971.

Honolulu

Duties: As stated in its enabling legislation, Act 96, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 1970 (Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 221), the duties of the Commission on the Year 2000 were to: 1) Study the effects and changes produced by scientific and technological achievements and social changes with respect to the economic, political, cultural and social systems and the environment of the State of Hawaiʻi and the world; 2) Assess the future of Hawaiʻi, including identification of economic, political, cultural, social and environmental goals of the State;
3) Devise and recommend legislative and administrative action for the accomplishment of the State's economic, political, cultural, social and environmental goals; 4) Assist and coordinate the plans, programs, and activities of individuals, associations, corporations, and agencies, whether public or private concerned with the future of Hawaiʻi; 5) Stimulate and promote awareness of scientific, technological, and social system changes and their effect on Hawaiʻi's economic, political, cultural, and social systems and environment; 6) Through its chairman administer funds allocated to the commission; and accept, disburse, and allocate funds which may become available from other governmental and private sources; provided that all such funds shall be disbursed or allocated in compliance with any specific designation stated by the donor, and in the absence of such designation, such funds shall be disbursed or allocated for the promotion and furtherance of the purpose of this chapter. 7) Submit an annual report with recommendations to the governor and legislature prior to January 1 of each year. The second annual report shall include recommendations as to the continuing responsibility and role which the State shou1d assume in preparing for Hawaiʻi's future and as to organization and administrative arrangements which should be provided for in law and otherwise.

Act 96, Session Laws of Hawaii 1970

Structure of the Commission. The Commission on the Year 2000 was composed of nine members appointed and removed by the governor. The governor appointed the chairman of the commission from among its members. During the tenure of the commission, the chairmen were George Chaplin, Gerald A. Sumida and Francis S. Oda. The members of the commission served without compensation but were reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses. Act 96, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 1970, directed the University of Hawaiʻi to
render such assistance and research services as the Commission on the Year 2000 required. In 1971, Kunio Nagoshi, then head of the Center for Governmental Development
at the University of Hawaiʻi's College of Continuing Education and Community Services, became the first staff director of the commission, with the center providing staff services.
Daniel Weaver was hired as Executive Director of the commission, on a contractual basis, on September 15, 1972. Act 171, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 1973, amended the statute concerning the commission to state that: "The commission may, with the consent of the Governor and not subject to chapters 76 and 77, appoint a program director and such other staff as may be necessary for the purpose of this chapter." Mrs. Doreen Leland was hired as program director of the commission in November 1974 and continued to serve in that position until the commission was terminated on June 30, 1981. Act 96, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 1970, placed the Commission on the Year 2000 within the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes. Act 302, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 1980 amended the law by placing the commission within the Department of Planning and Economic Development for administrative purposes.