Senate Resolution 55 Summary

• Urges the Hawaii State Department of Defense to continue operating the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy's Hilo Campus, which faces closure due to budget constraints and elimination of 42 positions.

• Program serves 16-18 year old at-risk youth through a 22-week residential phase followed by one year of community-based mentoring, focusing on character, education, and life skills.

• Program outcomes include 78% of graduates receiving high school equivalency diplomas, 48% entering the workforce, 19% continuing education, and 6% joining the military.

• Participants contribute over 9,000 hours of community service annually valued at $175,000; the Academy has awarded more than 3,800 academic credentials.

• Hilo Campus is especially important for at-risk youth from rural east Hawaii island with limited access to alternative resources and services.