Appropriates funds and establishes a full-time faculty position for the Philippine studies certificate program at Leeward community college.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that since the arrival of Filipino immigrants to Hawaii in 1906, Filipinos have grown to twenty-three per cent of the State's population. Filipinos comprise twenty-one per cent of the public school population, but are underrepresented at the University of Hawaii at Manoa at nine per cent of undergraduate students.

However, they are adequately represented at Leeward community college where they make up the largest ethnic group at twenty-five per cent of the student population. Leeward community college has the student demand, as well as the academic expertise, to offer its Philippine studies certificate program but does not have a full-time, permanent faculty position to provide stability and continuity.

The purpose of this Act is to support the Philippine studies certificate program by funding one full-time faculty position and providing program funds for international exchange agreements, community service learning programs, and transfer assistance programs for Filipino students to attend four-year college institutions.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $85,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to support the Philippine studies certificate program at Leeward community college by funding one faculty position, international agreements with colleges and universities in the Philippines, and other programs for Philippine studies students.

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

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