STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3386

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2587

       H.D. 1

       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. 2587, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO ESTABLISH CREATIVITY ACADEMIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to support the establishment of creativity academies in the State.

     More specifically, the measure will fund the cost of equipment, training, and hiring of instructors, as well as travel costs for student and instructor participation in competitions outside the State, as related to creativity academies.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from three instructors and a counselor at Kapiolani Community College, Ulua Media, and one private individual.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Department of Education submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that creativity academies seek to integrate the teaching, learning, and use of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and new media arts-related skills throughout Hawaii's public education system, all of which are important skills for the twenty-first century.  Your Committee further finds that the intent of this initiative is to create a bridge from middle school to college to industry while building upon best practices and to benefit our students as well as our state economy.

     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. 2587, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair