HI HR249

Urges the Department of Education to expand pilot projects aimed at cooling Hawaii's public school classrooms, which currently suffer from excessive heat that impedes student learning.

Notes that only 29 of 258 state public schools have central air conditioning, with installation costs ranging from $3 million to $10 million per school, resulting in only three schools being cooled over the past decade.

References the "Waianae Solution" (developed in 1998) and other cost-effective alternatives to air conditioning, including heat-reduction modifications using special lights, roofing, paint, ceiling fans, and insulation that are more economical and eco-friendly.

Requests the Department of Education to encourage student creativity in developing classroom cooling solutions and to submit a progress report to the Legislature by 20 days prior to the 2012 Regular Session.