STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3228

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 70

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Economic Development and Taxation and Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 70 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A DEGREE PROGRAM FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to prepare a report on the advisability and feasibility of establishing certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs within the University of Hawai‘i for the study of sports and entertainment management.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Tourism Liaison, Aloha Section PGA, and a faculty member of the Shidler College of Business, University of Hawai‘i.  The University of Hawai‘i System and the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments.

     Your Committees find that the University of Hawai‘i currently offers classes in sports and entertainment management, legal issues in sports and entertainment, and sports and entertainment marketing.  Your Committees have heard that student interest in these classes has been overwhelming and that an expansion of this curriculum offers opportunities for the growth and economic development of the sports and entertainment industry.

     Your Committees further find that the feasibility study in this measure will provide the University with the information necessary to make a sound decision regarding the establishment of such a program, including possible changes in organization and staff, funding, organizational impacts, benefits to the University and the State, potential problems or issues, and other information that may be relevant to the decision.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Taxation and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 70 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Taxation and Education,

____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair

____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair