STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2351

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2657

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2657 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS RESEARCH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center of Hawaiʻi within the University of Hawaiʻi;

(2) Require the Research Center to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine;

(3) Require the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Research Center, University of Hawaiʻi Center on Aging, and University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa to identify opportunities to capitalize on collaboration between the parties and maximize operational efficiencies;

(4) Require the Research Center to submit annual reports to the Legislature; and

(5) Appropriate funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Alzheimer's Association, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, Alzheimer's Caregiving & The Caregivers, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, AARP Hawaiʻi, and nine individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committees find that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are among the most pressing health challenges of the modern era and disproportionately affect the State's aging population. Despite the growing prominence of this public health issue, the State currently lacks the foundational infrastructure necessary to compete for federal awards for dementia related research and development activities. Your Committees further find that the State's unique demographic composition, particularly its large Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance research that reflects genetic, cultural, and environmental factors not studied elsewhere. This measure will establish a coordinated research structure to support the development of more effective, culturally tailored interventions for residents affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a blank appropriation amount; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

Your Committees note that although this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount, should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider inserting an appropriate amount for the establishment of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center of Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2657, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2657, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair