HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

132

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

reQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU to EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF adding surfing as a competitive interscholastic sport.

 

 

WHEREAS, as an island state, Hawaii provides an excellent setting for a number of outdoor recreational sports, including surfing; and

WHEREAS, as a traditional Hawaiian recreational sport enjoyed by many alii, heenalu or "wave sliding" was a vital part of Hawaii's history; and

WHEREAS, surfing today is enjoyed by many of Hawaii's residents and visitors, and surf sites such as Waimea Beach on O`ahu and Hookipa on Maui are world renowned, attracting the attention of athletes and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, through Act 174, Session Laws of Hawaii 1998, the Legislature formally recognized surfing as Hawaii's official individual sport; and

WHEREAS, surfing has been a significant boon to Hawaii's economy in general, and the tourism industry in particular, because of extensive media and promotional coverage of international surfing competitions held annually in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, fostering the sport of surfing for interscholastic athletic competition by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA), Oahu Interscholastic Association, Interscholastic League of Honolulu, Big Island Interscholastic Federation, Maui Interscholastic League, and Kauai Interscholastic Federation would promote awareness of, and cultivate sensitivity to, Hawaiian history and culture at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, the HHSAA, Board of Education (BOE), and Department of Education (DOE) recognize athletics as an integral part of the educational program of Hawaii's high schools; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the HHSAA is to promote unity and cooperation among the member schools in the establishment and administration of policies and regulations for implementing interscholastic athletic programs that stress educational and cultural values, promote skills in competitive activities, and foster the values of teamwork and mutual respect; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to determine the feasibility of conducting interscholastic athletic competition in the sport of surfing in Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the Senate concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) is requested to examine the feasibility of adding surfing as a competitive interscholastic sport; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that LRB is requested to review all relevant issues, including the legal liability of the State and counties, the BOE and DOE and their personnel, HHSAA, Oahu Interscholastic Association, Interscholastic League of Honolulu, Big Island Interscholastic Federation, Maui Interscholastic League, and Kauai Interscholastic Federation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BOE and DOE and their personnel, HHSAA, Oahu Interscholastic Association, Interscholastic League of Honolulu, Big Island Interscholastic Federation, Maui Interscholastic League, and Kauai Interscholastic Federation are requested to cooperate and provide assistance to LRB as may be necessary to conduct its study; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that LRB is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior before the convening of the Regular Session of 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Acting Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Chairperson of the BOE, the Superintendent of Education, and the executive directors of HHSAA, Oahu Interscholastic Association, Interscholastic League of Honolulu, Big Island Interscholastic Federation, Maui Interscholastic League, and Kauai Interscholastic Federation.

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Interscholastic Competition in Surfing