HB 1542 Summary

• Establishes an undergraduate health sciences academy within the University of Hawaii system, administered by the University of Hawaii at West Oahu, to recruit and retain Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and first generation college students.

• Creates a high school early college pathway with college readiness programs and health equity coursework for freshmen and sophomores, followed by specialized health science tracks (biomedical, behavioral health, or allied health) for juniors and seniors.

• Requires development of professional curriculum for high school teachers and establishes collaborative faculty teams across all University of Hawaii campuses to deliver interdisciplinary coursework.

• Incorporates four Native Hawaiian principles (Hoʻomālamalama, Hoʻomana, Hoʻopili, Hoʻokāhuli) to guide academic programs at both high school and undergraduate levels, emphasizing cultural knowledge, mentorship, community engagement, and innovation.

• Appropriates $2,080,404 for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to fund twenty permanent faculty and staff positions to establish and operate the academy, effective July 1, 2017.