STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1622-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.C.R. No. 51

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 51 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR AIR CONDITIONING IN SCHOOLS ON HAWAII ISLAND THAT ARE REGULARLY AFFECTED BY VOG,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education to prioritize funding for air conditioning in schools on Hawaii island that are regularly affected by vog.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that vog, or volcanic smog, is a form of air pollution that occurs when volcanic emissions react with moisture, oxygen, and sunlight. When volcanic eruptions occur on Hawaii island, prevailing wind patterns typically push vog emissions westward, where they accumulate over North and South Kona and Kau and affect the air quality to the point where it poses significant health risks.

Your Committee further finds that public health recommendations to reduce exposure to vog include staying indoors with windows closed and using an air filter. However, in schools without air conditioning, it can be very difficult to follow the recommendations and keep a healthy learning environment at the same time. Your Committee believes that providing schools on Hawaii island that are regularly affected by vog with air conditioning units will create a safer, more comfortable, and more effective learning environment for students.

Your Committee has amended this measure by including information on how hot temperatures negatively impact the ability of students to learn, especially in West Hawaii island and in particular the Kona area, and how using available energy efficient technology reduces the cost of air conditioning installation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 51, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 51, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair