HB1630 CD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1630
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 2
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the project EAST (environmental and spatial technology) initiative started as a pilot program in the Maui district high schools during the summer of 2000, which later moved to Hawaii county and then to a middle school on Kauai. Project EAST holds great potential to assist Hawaii's public schools to develop in Hawaii's youth important critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills necessary for them to succeed in high technology-based jobs. Project EAST integrates cutting-edge technology, such as computer-assisted drafting, geographic information systems, global positioning systems, and computer graphic applications such as soft image, into the educational curriculum. The goal of this initiative is to prepare students for the information technology age by providing a comprehensive project-based and student-centered learning program where students are responsible for their own learning.

Seven project EAST labs have been established in Hawaii-– Chiefess Kamakahelei middle school on Kauai; Maui high school, Baldwin high school, King Kekaulike high school, Lahainaluna high school, and Kihei charter school on Maui; and Kea‘au high school on Hawaii. Since 2001, Hawaii students have won a number of awards at the National EAST Conference, competing successfully against approximately two hundred schools in six other states.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the Hawaii 3Ts school technology laboratories fund to maintain the project EAST program in existing schools and to expand the program to schools statewide.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 to be deposited into the Hawaii 3Ts school technology laboratories fund established pursuant to section 302A-1314, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the Hawaii 3Ts school technology laboratories fund the sum of $1,100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 to maintain the project EAST program in existing schools and to expand the program to schools statewide; provided that no funds shall be expended unless matching funds are provided pursuant to section 302A-1314(p), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., in accordance with section 302A-1314, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and implemented in partnership with county economic development boards, as appropriate, for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.