STAND. COM. REP. NO. 402-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1605

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1605, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its Human and Community Resilience Institute.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; The Outdoor Circle; Hawaiian Earth Recycling; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that while food security and healthy diets are essential for positive youth development, over 30 percent of Hawaii households remain food insecure. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of the Human and Community Resilience Institute has the potential to increase positive youth development and health outcomes, family well-being, and community resilience.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1605, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair