Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Science, Art and Technology and Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1485 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate general funds for the Project EAST initiative.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association, Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., and administrators and students from King Kekaulike High School, Lahainaluna High School, Kihei High School, and Baldwin High School testified in support of the measure.

Project EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) is a national initiative in which students work in partnership with business, industry and government to solve problems in their community utilizing state-of-the-art technology. Over 10,000 students from ninety-five schools in five states, including Hawaii, participate in the program which helps students to improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills and develop technological knowledge and expertise, while serving their communities.

Some of the projects undertaken by Hawaii students participating in Project EAST include the use of global positioning and geographic information systems to map fire access routes for the Lahaina Fire Department, researching the effects of the chemical C-9 in the Upcountry water system, and working with the Department of Health to contain the murine typhus problem. The appropriation of funds effected by this measure will enable the Project EAST program to continue and expand in this State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Science, Art and Technology and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1485 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.