Committee advances multi‑ethnic cancer cohort study bill; state share estimated at $500,000 per year

The committee passed HB 1300 HD1, which would appropriate state funds to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center to conduct a multi‑ethnic cohort study examining social determinants, lifestyle, environmental exposures and resilience factors among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Filipinos.

Lylee Park, a researcher at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, said the center “stands by our testimony in support” and is available to answer questions. Cynthia Au of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network told the committee that collecting data on social determinants and environmental exposures will help explain disparities and “help to find the gaps in cancer prevention and care delivery.”

Committee members pressed the center on funding contingencies if federal funds are not secured. Park and the center’s director said they will apply to NIH and other federal and private funding sources and cited prior success sustaining cohort funding. The director and Park said the center could proceed with a combination of current staff and additional FTEs as recruitment needs dictate.

The chair noted a state share estimate of $500,000 per year for two years to jump‑start the study; the committee passed the bill as is and will forward it with the defective date already in the draft. The transcript references a federal NOFO that could allow application for $10 million over five years but committee members were told federal availability is not guaranteed.