STAND. COM. REP. NO.  66

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1542

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1542 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN HIGHER EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to develop an undergraduate health sciences academy within the University of Hawaii System in cooperation with relevant educational institutions, to target the recruitment and retention of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students and first generation college attendees.

The University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii at West Oahu - Student Body, University of Hawaii at West Oahu Allied Health Faculty, Kamehameha Schools, Native Hawaiian Health Task Force, Hoomana Pono, LLC., Ka Lahui Hawaii Political Action Committee, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1542 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair