Report Title:

Hawaii Nature Center; Maui; Public Schoolchildren; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for public school students in Maui to partake in the education programs at The Hawaii Nature Center in Iao Valley.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1019

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for the support of Maui Public school children's partaking in education programs at the hawaii nature center in iao valley.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the future of Hawaii's precious environment depends on the commitment and understanding of its people. The hands-on environmental education of young children is known to be a strong factor in the development of positive attitudes toward the environment and its stewardship. The Hawaii Nature Center in Iao Valley has been providing award-winning, quality, hands-on nature education to children for more than twenty years.

The Hawaii Nature Center currently reaches about four thousand students in formal all-day programs. Actual costs of delivering these programs, led by professional environmental educators, are estimated to be at about $25 per child. Schools pay a $225 class fee for sixty students (costing $3.75 per student), which may or may not be passed on to students. In addition, transportation fees add at least another $4 for each student. The legislature finds that, though nominal, these costs are perceived as prohibitive to many, especially when some similar available programs are fully subsidized.

The legislature also finds that Maui county, which is undergoing rapid urban development, risks the alienation of its young people from traditional nature experiences. Economic realities on Maui make it difficult to provide environmental education programs without significant subsidy. The legislature finds that legislative support can significantly expand crucial environmental education experiences to more public school students on Maui.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys toward defraying the costs of education programs at The Hawaii Nature Center in Iao Valley for two thousand five hundred public school children from preschool through fourth grade, including school fees and transportation costs.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $80,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for defraying the costs for Maui public school students to partake in education programs at The Hawaii Nature Center in Iao Valley.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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