STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1706

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 141

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 141 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO CREATE A PLAN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARITIME COLLEGE AND TO ESTABLISH A MARITIME COLLEGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii to convene a working group to create a plan for the establishment of a maritime college and establish a maritime college.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific – Hawaii Region; Hawai‘i State AFL-CIO; and International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 142. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the maritime industry is an important part of the State's critical supply chain and building capacity in the port, maritime, and marine workforce will bring added stability to resources the State depends upon. There is no maritime college in the State and maritime workers must leave the State for training in licensed and unlicensed maritime career pathways.

Your Committee further finds that the University of Hawaii has emerged as a leader in ocean-based education and research and adding an ocean-based workforce development program is a practical addition to this work. 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.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 141 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

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AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair