SR72

WHEREAS, the maritime industry is the most important part of the State's critical supply chain and a longstanding source of family-sustaining union jobs; and

WHEREAS, there is a shortage of licensed mariners in the State; and

WHEREAS, employers more frequently hire licensed mariners who have graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited maritime college; and

WHEREAS, maritime colleges award baccalaureate degrees and prepare students for International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers certification and licensing by the United States Coast Guard; and

WHEREAS, there is no maritime college in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii residents must leave the State to receive the education necessary for a maritime career; and

WHEREAS, maritime colleges are routinely highly ranked in degree value and social mobility; and

WHEREAS, maritime colleges have an outstanding reputation for offering career pathways that improve the economic conditions of frontline and marginalized communities; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii is the premier higher education institution in the State and serves the intellectual, educational, research, and workforce development interests of the people of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, this body considers all offshore energy production to be marine energy; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a maritime college as part of the University of Hawaii System would encourage the development of a local workforce in maritime and related marine industries; and

WHEREAS, a maritime college would provide valuable research and workforce development in the areas of maritime studies, marine transportation, marine engineering, marine biology, environmental protection, oceanography, marine energy, ship building, marine communications systems, maritime policy and law, labor studies, Polynesian voyaging, languages, and maritime history; and

WHEREAS, a maritime college would also provide a well-rounded education in arts, science, social sciences, and Hawaiian studies with a focus on oceans; and

WHEREAS, graduates from a maritime college would be well prepared for United States Coast Guard deck and engine licensing; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the University of Hawaii is urged to convene a working group to create a plan for the establishment of a maritime college; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following individuals:

(1) The President of the University of Hawaii System, or the President's designee;

(2) The Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii, or the Vice President's designee;

(3) A member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) A member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(5) The Regional Director of the Hawaii Region of the Inlandboatman's Union of the Pacific, or the Regional Director's designee; and

(6) The President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142, or the President's designee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to invite any other knowledgeable member of the public, who shall be added to the working group by majority vote; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following individuals or their designees are requested to join the working group as ex officio members to provide input and clarification on matters relating to sites, facilities, equipment, and state needs:

(1) The Director of Transportation;

(2) The Comptroller; and

(3) The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consider and make recommendations on:

(1) Potential sites for a temporary and permanent campus for a maritime college;

(2) The development of a training fleet using existing University of Hawaii resources as well as procurement of a vessel through the United States Maritime Administration;

(3) Plans to secure a traditional land grant as well as an important natural harbor areas land grant;

(4) Potential federal grant funding sources;

(5) The development of a comprehensive accreditation strategy;

(6) The maritime college's curriculum, including the incorporation of union apprenticeships; and

(7) The administrative structure of the maritime college; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than December 1, 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the University of Hawaii to establish a maritime college as soon as possible and in appropriate consultation with the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii System, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Comptroller, Director of Transportation, Maritime Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration, and each member of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Maritime College

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	72
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII