RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, traditionally, greater educational attainment results in greater economic prospects and consequently greater income possibilities; and

WHEREAS, education also drives one's ability to access medical care, social services, and one's participation in the political process; and

WHEREAS, historically, racial groups at the top of the economic ladder enjoy a comparative advantage over other groups and generally achieve high education levels while other groups fall behind in their quest for educational achievement and traditionally constitute the most disadvantaged segments of the population; and

WHEREAS, in prior years, the Kamehameha Schools, through its mission to educate children of Hawaiian ancestry, used to provide programs in public schools on Kauai, such as the Kamehameha Early Education Program; and

WHEREAS, the involvement of the Kamehameha Schools on Kauai has been significantly reduced, and currently consists of only two preschool programs on Kauai; and

WHEREAS, there exists an undeniable need on the Garden Island to assist Native Hawaiian students and families in their pursuit of educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, an educational resource center on Kauai would provide a common ground and foundation for parents, teachers, and students to enhance the learning experience, and increase and encourage more parent and community involvement and support; and

WHEREAS, given the high number of Native Hawaiian school-aged children on Kauai, the Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Education should jointly plan the various stages of implementation of the resource center to ensure its success and effectiveness; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the Senate concurring, that the Kamehameha Schools is requested to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a resource center on the island of Kauai; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include, but not be limited to:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Education are requested to report their findings to the Legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Trustees of Kamehameha Schools, the Superintendent of Education, and the Chairperson of the Board of Education.