HI HR101

Urges the University of Hawaii to evaluate the effectiveness of the Kokua Program at UH Manoa and disability services across the entire UH System to identify areas for improvement and expansion.

Requests the UH Manoa Office of Student Equity, Excellence, & Diversity (SEED) to conduct a study assessing how to improve student outreach and knowledge of disability support services.

Specific areas for review include optimizing the disability services registration process, speeding up faculty letter transmittal and classroom relocations, addressing building inaccessibility from broken elevators, and accommodating a broader range of disabilities.

Notes that while 21% of college students reported a disability in 2020 and 23% of Pacific Islander undergraduates reported disabilities in 2019-2020, only 7% of students at public institutions register with campus disability centers.

Requires SEED to submit findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the Regular Session of 2027.