[§371K-1]  Findings and purpose.  TheState of Hawaii has long been a leader among the states in the development ofprogressive and innovative undertakings in behalf of its needy people. Securing the well-being of all of the State's needy citizens continues to be apolicy concern deserving of the highest priority.

Yet, even as we commit a growing share of theState's resources to programs and services to assist the poor, thedisadvantaged, refugees, immigrants, and other people in need, we must alsoensure that government resources are used prudently, that tax dollars are notbeing expended in a wasteful or extravagant manner, and that the Staterecognizes changes in societal attitudes, values, and emphasis which haveproduced new issues requiring new approaches for their resolution.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish anew office, the office of community services, within the department of laborand industrial relations for administrative purposes, to replace the office ofthe progressive neighborhoods program, the Hawaii office of economicopportunity, the refugee resettlement program, and the state immigrant servicescenter.  The primary purposes of the new office are to facilitate and enhancethe development, delivery, and coordination of effective programs for those inneed and to provide advice and assistance to the agencies of the executivebranch, other private agencies in the human services field, and thelegislature.  The establishment of the office of community services would:

(1)  Comply with requirements of the Hawaii StateConstitution;

(2)  Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of theoperations of the executive branch;

(3)  Improve the delivery of services to disadvantagedpersons, refugees, and immigrants;

(4)  Fix responsibility and accountability forsuccessfully carrying out programs, policies, and priorities of the office; and

(5)  Improve responsiveness to the needs of the peopleof Hawaii. [L 1985, c 305, pt of §1]