HI HB1542

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

Requires development of a high school pathway with college readiness programs, health equity coursework, and three specialized health science tracks (biomedical, behavioral health, and allied health) with minimum 6.0 college credits earned through early college coursework.

Mandates curriculum guided by four Native Hawaiian principles: Hoʻomālamalama (education strategies), Hoʻomana (empowerment through mentoring and problem-based learning), Hoʻopili (community engagement), and Hoʻokāhuli (transformation through innovation and technology).

Requires collaborative faculty teams from all University of Hawaii campuses to develop interdisciplinary coursework and conduct grant-funded scholarship in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health.

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