RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS RESEARCH.

SB2657

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2657

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS Research
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that establishing an organized Alzheimer's disease and
related dementias (ADRD) research unit at the university of Hawaii is essential
to advance scientific research, improve diagnosis and treatment, and provide
better care for individuals affected by these conditions.
�
A National Institute on Aging designated
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center would significantly enhance the university's
research capabilities and attract major federal funding; however, achieving
designation requires resources, coordination, and a dedicated team of expert
researchers and staff.
�
This goal is
attainable through a phased approach that begins with capacity-building and
strategic partnerships, and includes incremental steps to strengthen research
infrastructure, such as creating key faculty and staff positions over time.

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The legislature further finds that Hawaii's
unique demographic composition, including a significant Asian American and
Pacific Islander population, presents an unparalleled opportunity to conduct
dementia research that reflects genetic, cultural, and environmental factors
distinct from those studied at mainland research centers.
�
This focus would fill critical gaps in
scientific knowledge and inform culturally tailored interventions, benefiting
both state and national research agendas.

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Establishing an Alzheimer's disease and related
dementia research center in the State will leverage existing resources and
collaborations among the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine,
university of Hawaii center on aging, cancer research center of Hawaii, and
community partners; create efficiencies by utilizing existing infrastructure
and shared services; strengthen interdisciplinary research across medicine,
public health, and social sciences; expand access to clinical trials; and
improve patient care�particularly for rural and neighbor island
communities.
�
Strategic partnerships with
Kuakini Health System, Hawai
ʻ
i Pacific Health, and
The Queen's Health Systems will further enhance clinical research capacity and
integration with statewide health care delivery.
�
This initiative will also support workforce
development, complement any future neurology training program, and generate
economic benefits through job creation and increased federal research funding.
�
Therefore, the legislature finds that the
establishment of an Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research center
of Hawaii is a matter of statewide concern.

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The purpose of this Act is to establish an
organized Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research center of Hawaii
within the university of Hawaii as the first phase of a strategic plan to build
capacity and position the State for future National Institute on Aging
designation.

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SECTION 2.
�

Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new
section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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"
�304A-
�

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research
center of Hawaii.
�
(a)
�
There is established an organized research
unit, hereinafter known as the Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research
center of Hawaii, to conduct research on Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias.
�
The Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias research center of Hawaii shall be administered by a director to be
appointed in accordance with the board of regents' policy.

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(b)
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The Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research
center of Hawaii shall be administratively affiliated with the university of Hawaii
John A. Burns school of medicine.
�
The
administrative services and infrastructure teams of the Alzheimer's disease and
related dementias research center of Hawaii and the university of Hawaii John
A. Burns school of medicine may be merged to achieve greater efficiency.

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(c)
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The provost of the university of Hawaii at
Manoa shall have authority to direct and achieve efficiencies at the university
of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
research center of Hawaii.

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(d)
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The programs of the university of Hawaii John
A. Burns school of medicine and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research
center of Hawaii, the university of Hawaii center on aging, and the university
of Hawaii at Manoa shall identify opportunities to:

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(1)
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Capitalize on collaboration between the
programs; and

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(2)
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Maximize operational efficiencies among the
university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine, Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias research center of Hawaii, and the university of Hawaii center on aging,
including but not limited to shared services and personnel, whenever feasible,
and utilization of centralized services available through the university of
Hawaii at Manoa, whenever appropriate.

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(e)
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The Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research
center of Hawaii's research agenda shall focus on research, education, patient
care, and community outreach and reflect an understanding of the ethnic,
cultural, and environmental characteristics of the State and the Pacific
region.

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(f)
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The Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research center of Hawaii may
be staffed by, but not be limited to, the following positions:

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(1)
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One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) senior
clinician scientist who shall be on tenure track;

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(2)
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One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE)
coordinator of the designated research unit;

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(3)
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One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) staff position;

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(4)
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One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) clinical
research nurse;

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(5)
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Two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) faculty
positions to be allocated among junior investigators as part‑time
appointments, including a part-time neuropathologist as required for the neuropathology
core of an Alzheimer's disease research center to receive funding from the
National Institute on Aging.

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(g)
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The Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research
center of Hawaii may:

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(1)
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Engage in international research collaborations;

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(2)
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Undertake research studies and clinical
trials; and

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(3)
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Participate in projects and programs of the
National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging, including
but not limited to research centers designated by the National Institute on
Aging as Alzheimer's disease research centers.

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(h)
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The Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research
center of Hawaii shall submit an annual report to the legislature no later than
twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.
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The report shall include:

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(1)
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A summary of research activities,
collaborations, and clinical trials conducted by the research center;

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(2)
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Progress toward securing federal funding
and designation as an Alzheimer's disease research center by the National
Institute on Aging;

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(3)
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Financial expenditures and funding sources;

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(4)
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Community outreach and education efforts;
and

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(5)
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Recommendations including proposed
legislation for budgetary support.
"

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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $375,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for the establishment of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related
Dementias Research Center of Hawaii, including the establishment of:

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(1)
�
One
full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) f
aculty
senior clinician scientist
position; and

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(2)
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One
full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE)

administrative, professional, and technical center coordinator (administrative
lead)
position in the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine,
specializing in neurology and dementia.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the
university of Hawaii

for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

University of Hawaii
;
Alzheimer
'
s
Disease
and Related

Dementias;
Research Center; JABSOM;

Center on Aging; Reports;
Appropriation
; Positions

Description:

Establishes the
Alzheimer
'
s Disease and Related Dementias
Research Center of Hawaii

within the
University of Hawaii.
�
Requires the
Research Center to be
administratively affiliated with the
U
niversity of Hawaii John A. Burns
School of Medicine.
�
Requires JABSOM, the Research Center,
University of Hawaii Center on Aging, and University of Hawaii at Manoa to
identify opportunities to capitalize on collaboration between the parties and
maximize operational efficiencies.
�

Requires the Research Center to submit annual reports to the
Legislature.
�
Appropriates funds
.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.