STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2807

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2233

       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 S.B. No. 2233 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 within the University of Hawaii.

     More specifically, this measure establishes a global youth center to educate future leaders and to support the collaboration between Hawaii and international youth as they collectively engage in the construction of a better future.

     Testimony in support of the measure was received from the University of Hawaii System; the East-West Center; the United Nations Association-Hawaii Division; Connections Public Charter School; Co-founder, Global Youth Center; Coordinator, Hawaii Global Youth Center; Ke Ea Hou; and six private citizens.

     Your Committee recognizes that Hawaii, due to its cultural, political, economic, and military links to the Asia Pacific region and other parts of the world, is well-positioned to provide leadership in training its youth.  Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a global youth center provides the needed opportunities for Hawaii's youth to develop a strong base of global knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in today's changing world.

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

     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 S.B. No. 2233, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2233, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair