STAND. COM. REP. 2355

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.B. No. 3002

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Economic Development, to which was referred S.B. No. 3002 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PROJECT EAST INITIATIVE IN HAWAII'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to continue and expand the Project EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) initiative in Hawaii's public schools.

The Department of Education, the Kauai Economic Development Board, the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, and twelve individuals, including ten students, testified in support of the measure.

Your Committees find that Project EAST is a highly effective, hands-on program that gives students "real world" experience with state-of-the-art technology. In the EAST lab, technology is the tool--not the focus. Students interact in an atmosphere that replicates a work-place environment, successfully bridging the transition from school to a career. There are currently seven EAST labs in Hawaii and approximately two hundred in six other states. At national EAST conferences in 2001, 2002, and 2003, Hawaii students have earned high honors for their projects against stiff competition.

Your Committees are very supportive of EAST and its contribution to the development of a knowledgeable, adaptive workforce so necessary in a highly competitive economic climate. Your Committees are currently working with the business community and project EAST proponents to develop additional funding sources to expand this program for the benefit of students throughout Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Economic Development that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3002 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Economic Development,

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CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair

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DAVID Y. IGE, Chair