STAND. COM. REP. NO. 133-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2416

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. 2416 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require Honolulu Community College to conduct a statewide study and develop a state-sponsored maritime youth apprenticeship program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaii Transportation Association; The Maritime Group; Hawaiʻi Harbors Users Group; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii faces persistent workforce shortages in maritime occupations due to an aging workforce, limited training pipelines, and insufficient exposure of young people to viable, high-wage career pathways. By expanding structured apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pathways within the University of Hawaii Community College System, young adults will have access to hands-on, paid training opportunities that lead directly to family-sustaining employment and lessening youth out-migration and the loss of local talent.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending language in the preamble to acknowledge existing youth pre-apprenticeship work;

(2) Clarifying that developing apprenticeship opportunities in maritime occupations for young adults is a matter of statewide concern;

(3) Clarifying the role of the University of Hawaii Community College System, Honolulu Community College, and Windward Community College in conducting the study, developing a statewide plan, and reporting to the Legislature;

(4) Adding the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the list of state agencies from which data is to be collected;

(5) Adding an appropriation for an unspecified amount for the cost of a temporary project coordinator, data consultants, and statewide industry workshops;

(6) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(7) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2416, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2416, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair