STAND. COM. REP. NO. 684

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 529

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 529, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Education for its Hoakea Program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Clever Keiki Hawaii, Education Incubator, Hui O Wa'a Kaulua, Kua'aina Ulu 'Auamo (KUA), Malama Learning Center, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that providing additional resources will help the Hoakea Program increase its engagement with students and address the rising demand for transformative approaches to learning outside of a formal classroom setting.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 529, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair