Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
House higher education committee adopts a package of University of Hawaii resolutions; orders feasibility studies, program planning
Loading...
Summary
The House Committee on Higher Education & Technology approved a series of resolutions asking the University of Hawaii to study or advance initiatives including an Alzheimer's research center feasibility study, a BSN program at UH Maui, expanded student mental-health and housing supports, and a veterinary medicine working group.
The House Committee on Higher Education & Technology voted to adopt a package of resolutions on March 19 urging the University of Hawaii system to explore and prioritize a range of academic programs and student supports.
The measures, adopted largely by voice vote with several members recorded as "aye" and two members excused, ask the university to: study the feasibility of establishing an Alzheimer’s disease research center; continue planning a bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC); evaluate and expand student mental-health services; develop a homeless-student stability and housing resource program; convene a veterinary medicine expansion working group; and prepare lists of bachelor’s programs aligned to regional job markets.
Why it matters: The resolutions do not appropriate funds or create programs by themselves but direct the University of Hawaii to study feasibility, plan curricula, or form working groups that could shape future budget requests and program proposals. Several measures direct UH to identify federal funding paths or to include specific campus representation in next steps.
Coby Chock, testifying on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association, said the group "stand[s] on our written testimony in support" and asked the University to "explore the feasibility of establishing an Alzheimer's disease research center and identify the requirements for receiving federal funding from the National Institute on Aging." Chock emphasized the request is for a feasibility study, not immediate creation of a center.
University officials who testified said many items are already being advanced through internal processes. Laura Nagel, vice chancellor of academic affairs at UH Maui, told the committee, "We have all the curriculum ready to go. We're just waiting for the official process to move through," and said UHMC aims to offer the planned bachelor of science in nursing as early as fall 2026.
Deborah Halbert, vice president for academic strategy at the University of Hawaii, said the system submitted written testimony on several items and asked the committee to consider campus suitability and existing programs when directing next steps. On the veterinary medicine item, Halbert said Windward Community College would not be the "ideal location for a doctoral program in veterinarian science," but the system is willing to explore options systemwide.
Committee members amended some resolutions before voting. The committee approved sending certified copies of certain resolutions to the Kawaihuilani Center for Hawaiian Language at UH Manoa and adopted technical edits recommended by the House Manual and Style Office (HMSO) on a separate resolution. For the veterinary working group, the committee adopted an amendment to add a representative from UH Hilo's established veterinarian education program to the working group.
Votes at a glance (selected measures): - HCR31 / HR30 — Requesting the University of Hawaii to explore feasibility of an Alzheimer's disease research center and identify National Institute on Aging funding requirements: recommendation to pass as is; recorded voice votes of approval; outcome: adopted. - HCR73 / HR66 — Urging UH president and Board of Regents to establish a BSN program at UH Maui College: recommendation to pass as is; committee noted UHMC has begun planning and aims for fall 2026; outcome: adopted. - HCR96 / HR92 — Urging UH to evaluate and expand student mental-health services: recommendation to pass as is; outcome: adopted. - HCR97 / HR93 — Urging UH to implement a homeless student stability and housing resource program: recommendation to pass as is; committee asked UH to circulate its student basic-needs assessment report when available; outcome: adopted. - HCR195 / HR188 — Establish a veterinary medicine expansion working group to explore a DVM program: recommendation to pass with amendments (add UH Hilo representative); outcome: adopted. - HCR196 / HR189 — Requesting UH community colleges to develop lists of bachelor-degree programs aligned with regional job needs: recommendation to pass with amendments to include UHMC and HMSO technical edits; outcome: adopted.
Committee procedure and next steps: The resolutions instruct the University of Hawaii system and its campuses to report back through standard channels; none of the measures directly authorizes funding. Committee members asked UH officials to share completed reports and to continue coordination across neighbor-island campuses. Chair Terry Garrett closed the session after the final vote and adjourned the committee.
