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.B. No. 731 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the establishment of an ordnance identification and removal training program at Windward Community College.

Numerous individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The University of Hawaii and an individual submitted comments on the measure.

Your Committee finds that there is a need for persons in the State who are specially trained in ordnance identification and disposal, particularly in light of increasing terrorism after September 11, 2001, the Kahoolawe clean up project, and the occasional discovery of unexploded war ordnances in the State. This measure would help make such expertise available in the State by funding the establishment of an ordnance identification and removal program at Windward Community College.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 731 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.