CHILD PROGRAMS FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE

HONOLULU (AP) Programs and services for Hawaii's children, many of which
faced the budget ax last session, could be trimmed further if the nation
goes to war with Iraq, a House lawmaker said Thursday.

''In all likelihood it will probably result in a greater deficit and
possibly even more cuts in services for our children and families,'' said
Rep. Dennis Arakaki, chairman of the House Health Committee. Arakaki is one
of 33 lawmakers in the Legislature's ''Keiki Caucus,'' a bipartisan
coalition that focuses on children as a legislative priority.

The caucus on Thursday unveiled a package of more than 80 bills that members
plan to support this session.

Arakaki, D-Alewa Heights-Kalihi, said the caucus had four main areas of
concern: better health care coverage for Hawaii's children, improved dental
care, standards for physical education in schools and measures to prevent
substance abuse.

One measure seeks to have money from the state's tobacco settlement funds be
used to expand eligibility for children's health insurance programs.

''Right now we're estimating that we have about 11,000 uninsured children,''
Arakaki said.

Past bills aimed at improving dental health by flouridating community water
supplies have failed. Arakaki said the new approach would be a community and
school-based education initiative coupled with increased dental screenings.

Other efforts aimed at improving the health of Hawaii's children include a
bill to establish standards for physical fitness and a ban on some soft
drinks and junk foods in school vending machines.

To prevent drug and alcohol abuse, lawmakers are exploring the possibility
of increasing taxes on cigarettes and liquor to fund intervention and
treatment programs, Arakaki said, adding that recent proposals by Gov. Linda
Lingle and Senate President Robert Bunda to implement drug testing in
schools would only solve part of the problem.

''What do you do once you find out that the child has a problem with
drugs?'' he asked. ''If you don't have the treatment programs . . . all
you're doing is probably forcing schools to expel these students.

''It's going to be important to provide rehabilitation and remediation.''