Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 129 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education (DOE) to enter into an agreement with Theodora Mallick for the construction of the Pahoa School Gymnasium.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from DOE.

Mrs. Theodora Mallick owns a 19.8 acre parcel of land adjacent to Pahoa High and Intermediate School, on a portion of which she is willing to construct a gymnasium if the State agrees to buy it back. Pahoa High and Intermediate School does not have a gymnasium and instead uses an inadequate Hawaii county facility that was built in the 1930s. Having a school gym would provide a venue for a better physical education and sports program, as well as for after-school programs to address the area's serious social problems.

A $450,000 appropriation for plans and design was included in the 2002 budget and a request for $4,500,000 for construction is under consideration in the 2003 Session. Your Committee has been informed by the DOE that the $4,500,000 is for construction and cost of the land.

Your Committee believes that a public-private partnership such as being proposed by Mrs. Mallick will enable the State to provide a gym facility in a shorter period of time and with less cost to taxpayers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 129 and recommends its adoption.