Department of Defense

The Hawaii National Guaras recruitment program was boosted by the passage of House Bill 359, which permanently established the tuition waiver program for qualified Guard and Reserve members. During Spring 1984, 136 Guard members indicated that the tuition waiver program was an incentive for them to enlist. Since its inception on a trial basis in 1980, almost 1,400 Guard members have participated in the program.

– 1984 Annual Report pp. 1

GOVERNOR SIGNS TUITION WAIVER BILL

The signing of House Bill 359 by Governor George R. Ariyoshi on May 31st permanently establishes the tuition waiver program for qualified Hawaii National Guard and Army Reserve members. The program was initially enacted into law in May 1980 on a 4-year trial basis and was due to expire on June 30, 1984. House Bill 359 repealed the sunset provision of the law and extended the program indefinitely. Hawaii is one of only seven (7) states offering Guardmembers 100% tuition payment at state universities and possibly the only state to extend the program to include Army Reservists.

The final passage of the bill is a monumental accomplishment for Hawaii National Guard personnel who drafted the original measure nearly 1O years ago. In late 1974, the Hawaii National Guard Association’s legislative committee decided that a tuition waiver for Guardmembers would be the cheapest and most beneficial proposal in terms of recruitment and retention. Lt. Col. Kenneth D.H. Chong, who was a HNGA cochairman at that time, drafted a bill and submitted it to the 1975 legislature. However, the bill died in legislative committee in 1975 and 1976. In 1977, the bill was passed through one house but missed in the other by a narrow vote.

Another major effort was made to push the bill through in the 1978 session. A successful “grass roots” campaign was conducted by the legislative committee. This time, the bills passed through both houses but was killed due to a technicality. According to those involved in the campaign, it was a heartbreaking setback which only added to their determination to succeed the following year.

However, the 1979 session was beset by many problems and newly elected legislators had to be persuaded to accept the merits of the program. In 1980, the bill was introduced again, and the sunset provision was left in despite HNGA opposition. It finally passed in May and became effective in September 1980.

In Lt. Col. Chong’s words, “It took six sessions to get the concept enacted into law on a trial basis and another four sessions before tuition waivers became permanent. It was a tough measure to sell, but very much worth it.” It was.

The tuition waiver bill is a definite boost for the Guard’s recruitment and retention program. Since May 1980, 1,399 enlisted and officer personnel from the Air and Army Guard have applied for tuition waivers. In a survey conducted late last year, 352 members indicated that the tuition waiver program was a major incentive to join or reenlist in the Guard. That amounts to 170 new recruits and 182 reenlistments.

As of this 1983 spring semester, 298 Guardmembers have utilized the waiver since it went into effect 6 semesters ago. The program has been used by 18 applicants for 5 semesters; 44 for 4 semesters; 43 for 2 semesters and 79 for I semester. In addition, there are 114 new participants in the program.

Presently, tuition waivers are offered to all Hawaii Army and Air National Guard members below the rank of captain. The waivers can be used for undergraduate degrees only at any University of Hawaii campus or community college. It does not apply to the summer session or courses offered by the College of Continuing Education. To qualify, an applicant must meet admission requirements at the UH and obtain a certification of satisfactory military performance. Personnel-receiving veterans or other federal educational benefits are ineligible to receive a waiver.

– 1984 Second Quarter Pūpūkahi pp. 1