A federal program that has supported Native Hawaiian medical students for over 35 years is facing a lawsuit from a conservative group that argues it is discriminatory. Do No Harm, a Utah-based advocacy group, filed suit in March, claiming the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program withholds financial aid from non-Hawaiian students who could apply if they had "just one family member of Hawaiian descent hundreds of years ago." The lawsuit seeks to have the program declared unconstitutional and opened to all races.
Background of the Program
Established by Congress in 1988 under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act, the scholarship was a response to a landmark report showing Native Hawaiians lacked accessible healthcare and suffered from higher rates of morbidity, mortality, and chronic disease. The program has helped 324 people, including 108 nurses, 71 doctors, and 49 social workers, who in turn work in underserved areas of Hawaii.
Impact on Communities
Dr. Daniel Garcia, an internist who received the scholarship in 1991, said it allowed him to focus on his studies and later serve his community. "Coming from a demographic that wasn't really supposed to go into medicine, I was struggling, and having that resource allowed me to focus and eventually thrive," he said. Garcia emphasized the importance of Native Hawaiian doctors building trust with patients who may be wary of Western medicine.
Despite Hawaii having the longest life expectancy in the US, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have much lower life expectancy than other groups. Nearly 12% of Native Hawaiians lacked health insurance in 2024, compared to 8% of the total US population.
The Lawsuit's Arguments
Do No Harm argues that the program's definition of Native Hawaiian, which requires only one Native ancestor, is too broad and that scholarships should be based on merit. "Patients of all races and ethnicities want one thing, and that is a great doctor who can help them feel better," said Kristina Rasmussen, the group's executive director. The suit notes that three non-Hawaiian members were denied scholarships.
Stanley Goldfarb, chair of Do No Harm, stated that the challenge is aimed at ensuring "well-deserving applicants can qualify to compete for the financial relief the scholarship provides."
Broader Context
The lawsuit is part of a broader conservative effort to unwind programs supporting minority groups, following the Supreme Court's 2023 decision ending race-conscious admissions in higher education. The Trump administration has also targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, with the Department of Education declaring "DEI is DEAD!"
Sheri-Ann Daniels, CEO of Papa Ola Lōkahi, which administers the program, said the lawsuit ignores the historical context and ongoing need for equitable healthcare. "Efforts to dismantle programs like this ignore both the historical context and the ongoing need to safeguard equitable access to care throughout Hawaii," she said.
Similar Case
A similar lawsuit was filed last year against the Kamehameha schools, a private system prioritizing Native Hawaiian students. Students for Fair Admission argued the policy is unfair and not based on merit.
Dr. Dee-Ann Carpenter, an associate professor at the University of Hawaii, stressed that the scholarship supports Native Hawaiians who otherwise could not afford education. "We need our graduates to be in the community to care for our people," she said. "It is truly awesome for our patients to see faces who look like them in their medical care."
Garcia expressed dismay at the effort to roll back the program. "In a word, it sounds evil, to tell you the truth. Some folks just have a darkness in their hearts and they're called into action whenever they see people being lifted up," he said.
