TL/DR –
Three legal entities, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC), the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP, have filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program on behalf of Papa Ola Lōkahi. The scholarship program, created by Congress to increase the number of Native Hawaiian healthcare professionals in underserved areas, is being targeted by a lawsuit from Do No Harm. The program has helped over 300 scholars pursue healthcare education and service in Native Hawaiian communities since its inception over three decades ago.
May 18, 2026
On May 15, 2026, a Motion to Intervene was filed for Papa Ola Lōkahi by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC), the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP. This motion is part of a federal lawsuit aiming to uphold the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program, which is currently facing constitutional challenges from an organization called Do No Harm.
The Scholarship Program, approved by Congress as part of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act, aims to elevate the number of Native Hawaiian health professionals. It assists Native Hawaiian students in their pursuit of health profession education, particularly those who intend to serve in medically underserved areas of Hawaiʻi.
The program is jointly run by Papa Ola Lōkahi and the United States Health Resources and Services Administration, following the guidelines in the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Papa Ola Lōkahi, as a co-administrator, is entrusted with the program’s implementation and the communities it assists.
The Scholarship Program has significantly impacted the healthcare shortage in Native Hawaiian communities since its establishment by Congress over thirty years ago. It has supported over 300 scholars in their healthcare education and service to Native Hawaiians and other communities in Hawaiʻi.
“Our program fortifies healthcare access in underserved Hawaiʻi communities,” said Sheri Daniels, CEO of Papa Ola Lōkahi. “We are dedicated to the health and well-being of our communities and carry out the mission Congress assigned us through the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act.”
Executive Director of the NHLC, Makalika Naholowaa, stated, “The Scholarship Program is the result of Congress recognizing a critical need and a trust obligation to address severe healthcare shortages in Native Hawaiian communities. We are committed to its defense.”
“The United States has recognized and affirmed its trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians, especially in healthcare,” said John Echohawk, NARF Executive Director. “It’s crucial to uphold these promises for the well-being of Native communities.” Papa Ola Lōkahi is represented by NHLC, NARF, and Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP.
You can learn more about Papa Ola Lōkahi here.
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