HI HR14

Requests the Department of Education to meet with interested parties to examine the feasibility of establishing a boxing pilot program in at least one of Hawaii's public high schools.

Requires the Department of Education to report back to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2014 Regular Session on whether a boxing pilot program was deemed feasible, efforts made to establish it, and outcomes if established.

Cites boxing's benefits including full-body workouts, stress relief, self-defense training, weight management, and development of work ethic and self-esteem in young athletes.

Notes that youth and amateur boxing have strict safety guidelines requiring protective equipment such as headgear, athletic cups, and mouth guards, with at least one study finding no strong association between amateur boxing and chronic traumatic brain injury.

References successful boxing programs in high schools in California, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, and New York, and notes that Hawaii students currently can only access boxing through private facilities.