Pharmacy students lobby lawmakers for building funds

Student pharmacists from The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo visited the State Capitol on Tuesday to deliver informational packets to legislators.

Lawmakers are deliberating the fate of funding a permanent building for the college. UH says the accreditation of the college is at risk, which is being evaluated by committee members from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

The conference committee is the final hurdle for legislation before heading to state House and Senate floor votes in early May.

The state Senate has included the $38 million needed for the building in its budget, but the House has not.

The informational packets, including a CD with 1,000 letters of community support and petitions with 1,243 signatures, are a product of a group of community members called the Friends of The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Steering Committee, headed by Kelvin Sewake, a Hilo resident.

"The community has really come out in full support of the College, and for that we are truly grateful," said Sewake, who also is the father of a student pharmacist. "The letters and petitions represent the hopes and dreams of the current pharmacy students as well as the bright future for all aspiring pharmacists."

UH names programs, facilities in Inouye's honor

University of Hawaii

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved a package that names four University of Hawaii programs or facilities in honor of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

Click here to see UH programs and facilities named in honor of the late Sen. Inouye.

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Pharmacy students lobby lawmakers for building funds