STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1770

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 134

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 134 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND MANAGERS RIDGE LLC TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE KAHUKU HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AGRICULTURE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support agriculture education by requesting the Department of Education and Manager's Ridge LLC to develop a plan for the continuation of the Kahuku High and Intermediate School agriculture program.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Kahuku High and Intermediate School, and eight individuals.  Comments on the measure were submitted by Manager's Ridge LLC.

     Your Committee finds that workforce development is a high priority within the State and must include the development of jobs and education in diverse disciplines including the agriculture industry.  Your Committee further finds that at Kahuku High and Intermediate School, the agriculture program of the Koko‘ula Natural Resources Academy provides valuable education to increase agricultural awareness, develop technical skills for farming, and promote good character and citizenship within the community.  The program is currently in jeopardy and requires careful attention and care to ensure that students in Kahuku will continue to be afforded with the benefits of the agriculture program without interruption.

     Testimony provided indicates that the parties are willing to work together; however, the issue of liability remains an immediate concern that should be given priority while working toward a final agreement in a timely manner.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the Department of Education and Manager's Ridge LLC are requested to enter into an agreement to remove Manager's Ridge LLC from any liability relating to Kahuku High and Intermediate School's use of the property in question until a final agreement can be reached on the matter; and

     (2)  Encouraging the parties to take any appropriate action necessary to resolve the issues in a timely manner that will allow Manager's Ridge LLC to proceed with its plans for development.

     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. 134, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 134, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair