STAND. COM. REP. NO.  444-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2706

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2706 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help ensure improved outcomes for Native Hawaiian children in the public school system by appropriating $400,000 in general revenues to fund three permanent faculty positions and provide for operating expenses for Ho‘okulaiwi: ‘Aha Ho‘ona‘auao ‘Oiwi, The Center for Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Education within the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  

The University of Hawaii, Sovereign Councils of Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, and several concerned individuals supported this measure.  A concerned individual supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Education and three concerned individuals supported this measure with amendments.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs opposed this measure.  A concerned individual provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying language in the purpose section; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2706, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2706, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

SCOTT NISHIMOTO, Chair