STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2405

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2442

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2442 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH DAY,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to recognize celebrations of Children and Youth Day as an official state event.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Afterschool Alliance, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Parents and Children Together, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, Kalihi Community Youth Violence and Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force, and fifteen individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.

 

     Your Committees find that the first Sunday in October is designated as "Children and Youth Day", and the month of October is designated as "Children and Youth Month".  Though they are not state holidays, they are important state celebrations.  Activities of Children and Youth Day provide a unique opportunity for children, youth, and families to learn and play together.  In past celebrations of Children and Youth Day on the Capitol grounds there have been two hundred or more interactive exhibits, tables, and games to educate people about nutrition, exercise, parenting, the environment, safety, employment, education, disaster preparedness, culture, and many other topics that lead to healthy lifestyles and a sustainable Hawaii.  The annual event was regularly attended by 40,000 or more people each year.  Celebration of our keiki is a special community gathering that encourages children and youth to learn about the joys of community service as they work side by side with kupuna.  Investing in Hawaii's keiki is an investment in Hawaii's future leaders.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2442, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2442, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Government Operations,

 

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

 

________________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair