Lawmakers advanced House Bill 714 to continue and expand two workforce development programs aimed at training high school students and entry‑level health care workers for patient‑facing roles.

The Healthcare Association of Hawaii and multiple health systems testified in strong support, describing near‑term workforce shortages across the state. Testimony from the association said Hawaii had nearly 4,700 openings for nonphysician patient‑facing roles and highlighted program outcomes: in February 2024, over 100 public high school students across 14 schools completed a health‑care certificate program with a 98% completion rate and 75% employment rate, and a CNA‑to‑LPN glide path supported 34 CNAs (now 50 enrolled) who can become licensed LPNs while working.

University of Hawaii community college leadership, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Kaiser Permanente and others supported the bill. Witnesses requested directing the funding to the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), which currently administers the program; the committee adopted that receiving‑agency revision.

Committee action: members moved HB714 forward with technical amendments, a suggested funding level captured in report language (approximately $1.4 million per year suggested), and a defective effective date. The committee voted to pass with amendments.

Why it matters: Supporters said continued funding would scale up training pipelines for critical entry‑level health care roles and help employers recruit from local talent pools, particularly for rural islands and understaffed facilities.