HI HCR289

Urges state funding for Na Pua Noeau Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children staffing and programs in the University of Hawaii System biennium budget.

Na Pua Noeau was established in 1989 at UH Hilo and expanded to seven sites statewide between 1993 and 2001, serving over 12,000 Hawaiian students over twenty years.

Requested state funding would allow the Center to serve 4,000 K-12 Hawaiian students annually and expand staff and offices across all UH campuses.

Program participants show improved college enrollment and graduation rates at University of Hawaii, with alumni representing over 11% of Hawaiian students in the UH system and working in medicine, law, education, government, and community leadership.

Directs certified copies of the resolution to be sent to the President of the University of Hawaii System, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Na Pua Noeau.