Bill > HCR51

This Concurrent Resolution urges the Department of Education to make funding for air conditioning in schools on Hawaii Island a top priority, specifically for those schools frequently impacted by vog, which is volcanic smog, a form of air pollution that can cause significant health problems, especially for children. The resolution highlights that vog, originating from volcanic eruptions on Hawaii Island, can worsen air quality and lead to respiratory issues, and that without air conditioning, schools struggle to maintain healthy learning environments when vog levels are high or when temperatures are excessively hot, which is common in areas like West Hawaii. It also notes that air-conditioned classrooms have been shown to improve student academic performance and that advancements in energy-efficient cooling technologies could make installation more affordable, ultimately aiming to create safer and more effective learning spaces for students exposed to vog.