Report Title:

Oahu Interscholastic Assn.; Surfing

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, as an island state, Hawaii provides an excellent setting for a number of outdoor recreational sports, including that of surfing; and

WHEREAS, as a traditional Hawaiian recreational sport, surfing is a vital part of Hawaii's history, as many Hawaiian alii enjoyed he'enalu, or "wave sliding", the ancient Hawaiian name for this sport; and

WHEREAS, today, surfing is enjoyed by many of Hawaii's residents, and Hawaii's world-renowned surfing sites, such as the North Shore of Oahu, Waimea, and Pipeline, are recognized throughout the world by sport enthusiasts; and

WHEREAS, surfing has been a significant boon to Hawaii's tourism and the state economy because of extensive media and other promotional coverage of Hawaiian international surfing competitions; and

WHEREAS, adding the sport of surfing to the Oahu Interscholastic Association would promote awareness of, and cultivate sensitivity to, Hawaiian history and culture both at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, the Oahu Interscholastic Association was first organized in 1940 with five rural high schools, and now has twenty-four member schools who compete in nineteen different junior varsity and varsity level sports; and

WHEREAS, the Association, along with the Board and Department of Education, recognizes athletics as an integral part of the educational program of Hawaii's high schools; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Association is to promote unity and cooperation among the member schools in the establishment and administration of policies and regulations for implementing an interscholastic athletic program. The association stresses educational and cultural values and promotes skills in competitive activities and mutual respect; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for the Auditor to study the feasibility of adding surfing as a sport to the Oahu Interscholastic Association; 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 Auditor is requested to examine the feasibility of adding surfing as a sport to the Oahu Interscholastic Association; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in its study, the Auditor is requested to review all relevant issues, including issues relating to legal liability to the State and counties, the Board and Department of Education and their personnel, and the Oahu Interscholastic Association; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board and Department of Education, and the Oahu Interscholastic Association, are requested to cooperate with and provide assistance to the Auditor as may be necessary to conduct its study; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed implementing legislation, to the Legislature no 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 Auditor, the Superintendent and the Chairperson of the Board of Education, and the Executive Director of the Oahu Interscholastic Association.