STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1296-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.C.R. No. 147

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 147 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF SEPARATING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM AMONG THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII-WEST OAHU AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to examine improving the governance of the University of Hawaii system by:

     (1)  Requesting the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to study the feasibility of separating the University of Hawaii system among:

          (A)  The University of Hawaii at Manoa;

          (B)  The community colleges; and

          (C)  The University of Hawaii-West Oahu and the University of Hawaii at Hilo;

     (2)  Strongly encouraging the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to retain the services of an independent educational expert to conduct the study; and

     (3)  Requesting the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature at least 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015.

The General Contractors Association of Hawaii supported the measure.  The University of Hawaii and a concerned individual opposed the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 147 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ISAAC W. CHOY, Chair