Appropriates funds for implementation and expansion of native Hawaiian initiatives at UH Hilo.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The crucial role that the University of Hawaii performs for native Hawaiian students is strongly emphasized in both the University of Hawaii system strategic plan 2002-2010 and the University of Hawaii at Hilo strategic plan 2002-2010. Serving students from the island of Hawaii and from throughout the State of Hawaii are the core of the University of Hawaii at Hilo's mission, with a special focus on providing educational opportunities and access for native Hawaiians. The University of Hawaii at Hilo has experienced unprecedented growth in student enrollment during the past six years. The number of native Hawaiian students, however, has gradually declined. In order to reverse this trend and meet its objective of increasing representation of native Hawaiians at the university, additional funds are necessary to implement recruitment efforts targeted specially at native Hawaiians and other local students.

In addition, the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Hawaiian studies program has long been the systemwide leader in the number of majors in the field, but has been severely hampered in fulfilling its mission because of a lack of consistent system funding. As a result of the 1997 Hawaiian language task force report to the Hawaii state legislature, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani college of Hawaiian language was created with temporary external resources providing initial funding. As part of a directive set forth by the board of regents in October 2003, that a plan would be forthcoming to fully fund the college of Hawaiian language, the proposal includes twenty-one new positions in phase I, and eighteen new positions in phase II. With the allocation of these long awaited positions, the college of Hawaiian language is poised for unsurpassed growth.

Finally, in an effort to provide opportunities for disadvantaged populations, funding is being sought to develop a native Hawaiian student center by institutionalizing a successful support services program and consolidating programs for native Hawaiian students, thereby striving to reach the overarching goal and objective of the center to increase native Hawaiian student retention and graduation rates.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,356,404, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the implementation and expansion of native Hawaiian initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo to be expended as follows:

1. Personal services

Office services supervisor, SR14 $30,888

Clerk III, SR08 24,408

Instructional and student support, PBB 35,000

Information, events and publications, PBB 35,000

Student assistants 30,000

Subtotal personal services $155,296

2. Other current expenses

Office supplies $10,000

Repair and maintenance motor vehicle 1,000

Subtotal other current expenses $ 11,000

3. Motor vehicles

Sedan $ 25,000

Total request $191,296

B. Positions and funds for native Hawaiian initiatives.

1. Personal services

Dean, E09 $ 86,800

Eight positions academic support, PBB 325,000

Academic support, PBC 65,000

Secretary II, SR14 36,000

Clerk typist II, SR10 27,000

Subtotal personal service costs $ 989,800

2. Other current expenses

Supplies, office $ 32,308

Total request $1,022,108

1. Personal services

Junior specialist, S2 $ 86,000

Clerk-steno II, SR09 22,000

Student assistants 10,000

Subtotal personal services $118,000

2. Other current expenses

Office supplies $15,000

Travel 10,000

Subtotal other current expenses $ 25,000

Total request $143,000

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii at Hilo for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.