STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1618

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 186

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 186 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE FIRST COHORT OF UNDERPRIVILEGED, ECONOMICALLY-DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS IN HAWAII TO STUDY AT ELITE SCHOOLS IN ASIA THROUGH THE 2020 HAWAII-ASIA YOUTH PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage support for the first cohort of underprivileged, economically-disadvantaged students in Hawaii to study at elites schools in Asia through the 2020 Hawaii-Asia Youth Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has long-standing historical and cultural ties to Asia, beginning with the arrival of immigrants who first arrived in the islands over two hundred years ago. Additionally, the University of Hawaii and Education Advancement Fund International, a Hawaii-based nonprofit organization, have forged connections with a number of elite schools in Asia willing to enroll underprivileged, economically-disadvantaged students in Hawaii in programs involving one-to-one exchanges in which Hawaii students receive tutoring in math and science and, in exchange, provide tutoring in English. This exchange opportunity would allow these students to study at elite educational institutions and expand their global awareness of different peoples and cultures.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 186 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair