STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1376

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 32

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 32 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF REGENTS TO ESTABLISH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII MAUI CAMPUS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the President and Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at the University of Hawaii Maui Campus.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System and Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that there is a pressing need for highly qualified nursing professionals to meet the health care needs of the County of Maui. Your Committee further finds that while the University of Hawaii Maui College currently offers a Practical Nurse Certificate of Achievement and an Associate in Science in Nursing degree, which prepare students for entry-level nursing positions, it does not offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree like University of Hawaii at Manoa. This compels many nursing students enrolled in the University of Hawaii Maui College to either relocate to earn their bachelor's degree or pause their education to remain in the Maui nursing workforce. Your Committee also finds that establishing a dedicated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaii Maui College will provide Maui residents with an uninterrupted pathway for more advanced nursing knowledge along with greater advancement opportunities. This measure addresses the nurse shortage in rural communities in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 32 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair