STAND. COM. REP. NO. 541-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2171

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2171, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the University of Hawaii to engage in enterprise-related activities for educational purposes, under certain circumstances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that hands-on, real-world experience is a vital component of higher education, particularly in fields such as hospitality, agriculture, culinary arts, and business management. This measure allows the University of Hawaii to operate these "educational laboratories", facilities that function as active businesses to give students practical experience in their chosen fields of study.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider whether the lands referred to in this measure also include Mauna Kea lands.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2171, 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 Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair