THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2647
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the university of hawaii at hilo distance learning program.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that pursuant to S.R. No. 150, regular session of 2013, the college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management of the University of Hawaii at Hilo conducted a feasibility study to assess the demand for outreach, training, courses, and workshops related to advancing agricultural production and processing in the rural district of Puna.  The findings of the college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management support the need for such outreach, training, courses, and workshops in rural communities.

     The legislature further finds that the University of Hawaii at Hilo should establish a distance learning program to support tropical agriculture and food production in rural communities.  The program will lead to improved employment and entrepreneurial activities in rural communities.  The program will also identify educational and training needs and design a business incubator approach to support job growth in these rural communities.  Initial focus will be on outreach to increase agricultural production and processed products for local markets utilizing emerging engineering programs and may be expanded to other training and educational support systems to develop the local workforce and entrepreneurs in a rural area.  This program may serve as a replicable model for distance learning programs that can be extended to other rural areas of the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for a distance learning program within the University of Hawaii at Hilo to support tropical agriculture and food production in rural communities and create appropriate faculty positions.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to establish a distance learning program within the University of Hawaii at Hilo to support tropical agriculture and food production in rural communities and to fund:

     (1)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) community outreach specialist;

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) information technology specialist; and

     (3)  One full-time equivalent instructional coordinator (1.0 FTE).

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii at Hilo for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

University of Hawaii at Hilo; Distance Learning; Agriculture; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for a distance learning program within the University of Hawaii at Hilo to support tropical agriculture and food production in rural communities and create appropriate faculty positions.

 

 

 

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