Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 42 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to convene a study group to study the feasibility of increasing the operating budget of the University of Hawaii at Hilo to support establishing the university as a full-fledged comprehensive university.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Mayor of Hawaii County, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, and Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is an important economic engine for the economy of the Big Island, and also serves a vital role in the area of workforce development for the region. An additional investment in the Hilo campus is needed to sustain the recent enrollment growth and to increase campus research awards.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of a study group will identify the correlation between additional funding and future potential of the Hilo campus.

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.C.R. No. 42 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.