Bill > SB557

This bill requires Huli Au Ola, a Maui county area health education center, to conduct a comprehensive study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention specifically for the island of Molokai, which is severely underserved in medical professionals. The study will examine eight key areas: recruitment strategies, retention methods, housing availability, transportation options, airline accessibility, potential partnerships, communication approaches, and an evaluation process. With approximately 7,000 residents and only one airline serving the island, many Molokai residents struggle to access medical and dental care, particularly for serious conditions that cannot be addressed through telehealth. Huli Au Ola will be required to submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to the legislature twenty days before the 2026 regular legislative session. The bill appropriates funding through the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to support this study, with the legislation set to take effect on July 31, 2050. The primary goal is to address the critical shortage of medical professionals in this rural, underserved community by developing targeted strategies for attracting and keeping physicians and dentists on Molokai.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=557&year=2026