THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	33
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INSTITUTE A GREEN HAWAII PROGRAM WITHIN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WHEREAS, caring for the environment can give youth a sense of responsibility for those around them and for the good of the community overall; and

WHEREAS, a heightened sense of one's civic duties promotes the greater well-being and spirit of cooperation in solving common problems and mutual undertakings within communities; and

     WHEREAS, one of the ways youth can learn civic awareness is through "green projects" which are tasks that promote malama ‘aina (caring for the land); and

     WHEREAS, these tasks are doable by children and youth alike to foster patience and delayed gratification that results in a sense of accomplishment when they see the fruits of their labor benefit their community; and

     WHEREAS, green projects teach other values such as preservation and wise stewardship of natural resources, which children and youth will need as adults in order to manage or participate in decisions and actions concerning their civic duties; and

     WHEREAS, recycling plastic and aluminum containers cleans up the area for aesthetic improvement and provides a small source of income for other student projects and needs of the schools; and

     WHEREAS, grass and landscaping cuttings can be used as mulch to cover the lawn to reduce irrigation demands and return nutrients back to the soil on school property; and

     WHEREAS, vermi-composting provides a safer source of fertilizer for organic school gardens; and

     WHEREAS, xeriscape designs incorporating the use of native flora reduces irrigation demand and simultaneously conserves precious freshwater resources; and

     WHEREAS, organic gardening teaches children and youth that food comes out of the ground, introduces them to the vital agriculture industry as a career, and fosters a respect for agricultural endeavors; and

     WHEREAS, these projects in conservation and recycling can also serve to help alleviate school budgets by reducing, reusing, and conserving resources; raise funds for other student projects; and teach students about budgeting in a demonstrable way; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education and Board of Education are requested to establish a Green Hawaii program, under which all public schools, including charter schools, are requested to perform at least five "Green Hawaii" projects within each school year, beginning with the school year 2015-2016; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Board of Education, Charter School Administrative Office, and the Hawaii State Student Council.

Report Title: 

Education; Green Hawaii Projects