Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 124 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii to establish a Rural Health Science Center at the Hilo campus.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Your Committees find that Hawaii is home to many rich cultures and ethnic-based practices. This variety is most evident in the health and treatment methods practiced in rural areas by native Hawaiians and other cultures resident in the State. As a result of the mix of these and Western influences, as well as family traditions, a unique form of rural health care exists in rural Hawaii. Therefore, your Committees believe that the State of Hawaii, particularly Hilo, Hawaii, is the ideal place for centralizing research, education, and training on rural health science.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 124 and recommend its adoption.