HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

220

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE JOHN A. bURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO HOST A SYMPOSIUM ON COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES.

 

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is an archipelago with a unique and vibrant blend of cultures and ethnicities; and

WHEREAS, our traditions of tolerance and aloha allow immigrants from many lands to come to our shores and integrate within this society, creating a patchwork quilt of some of the best aspects of each culture and ethnicity to make Hawaii their home; and

WHEREAS, many of the diverse populations within our state bring curative, remedial and healing traditions from their respective cultures that would be classified as "complementary" or "alternative" to standard medical practices; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii is often perceived as a geographic and cultural bridge between the East and West; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii has historically played a pivotal role in this perception through educational programs focusing on Asia and the Pacific Rim as well as the East-West Center; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii has an opportunity to continue this tradition with the opening of the new John A. Burns School of Medicine's Biomedical Research Center; and

WHEREAS, with an emphasis on basic and applied medical research, the John A. Burns School of Medicine Biomedical Research Center could serve as a clearinghouse of information on alternative/complementary and standard medical practices; and

WHEREAS, such could lead to many medical breakthroughs and could be of great benefit to Hawaii's economy in terms of diversification and growth; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the John A. Burns School of Medicine is requested to host a symposium fostering a better understanding of the relationship between standard medical practice and the various alternative and complementary medical practices from the various immigrant cultures in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the symposium focus on numerous issues with the divergent medical practices and treatments such as the potential risks and benefits of alternative/complementary therapies, the effects of combining standard medical practice and alternative/complementary therapies on patients from different cultures, the study of medicinal plants with a focus of varieties unique to Hawaii and the Pacific Rim, the possibility of creating models of integrative health teams within existing treatment facilities, and development of educational materials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Health.

 

 

Report Title:

East-West Medical Symposium