STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3613

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1605

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1605, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys 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 written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Food+ Policy, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Hawaii Farmers Union, and two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that food security and nutrition are essential for youth development, thriving families, and community resilience. Your Committee further finds that the moneys appropriated by this Act will enable the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience of the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish a new community-based, data-driven Human and Community Resilience Institute. Your Committee believes that the Institute will increase children's food and nutritional security, foster positive youth development and health outcomes, improve family well-being, and lead to greater community resilience.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1605, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair