STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3366

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2045

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2045 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ESTABLISHING A GLOBAL YOUTH CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a Global Youth Center at the University of Hawaii that will provide a unique opportunity for youth around the world to work together for a better future and create peaceful and sustainable communities worldwide.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the United Nations Association – USA Hawaii Division, the Global Youth Center Hawaii, the Connections Public Charter School, Ke Ea Hou, the North Hawaii Youth Coalition, World Youth Congress Series, the Children's Rights Council, the Global Youth Center, and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Global Youth Center will engage youth as active participants in planning their futures by enabling them to identify and address major global issues that include world peace, sustainability, and economic and human productivity.  Participation in the Center will train future leaders who can communicate effectively and shape the issues that affect them.  As a crossroads of the east and west, a Global Youth Center located in Hawaii would be ideally positioned to serve youth in Hawaii and youth around the world who seek to shape a more peaceful and healthier earth.

     Your Committee has amended the measure by making technical amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2045, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2045, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair