STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1536

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 217

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 217, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO DEVELOP PLANS FOR A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR HAWAII RESIDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to:

     (1)  Develop plans for a scholarship program for Hawaii residents to study abroad; and

     (2)  Submit a report on its progress to the 2010 Legislature.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by twenty individuals.  Comments were provided by the University of Hawaii System.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that study aboard programs give students the opportunity to gain both academically and culturally, bringing an additional dimension to learning.  The costs, however, are often prohibitive for students and their families, particularly those students who depend on financial aid for college expenses.

     Your Committee has heard the concerns raised by the University, but believes that the request to develop plans for a scholarship program for Hawaii residents to study abroad is encompassing enough that the issues may be included, if not addressed completely, during the planning process.  Should the Board of Regents determine that the plans would require additional funds or other legislation in order to implement, these requests may be included in the report to the 2010 Legislature.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 217, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair