STAND. COM. REP. NO. 624-26

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 Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 2416, H.D. 1, 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 the University of Hawaii Community College System, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Program for individuals ages sixteen to twenty-four.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Harbors Users Group; The Maritime Group; Hawaii Transportation Association; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and Kapolei Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's maritime industry is essential to the State's economic resilience and emergency readiness, yet longstanding workforce shortages threaten the sector's long-term stability. Your Committee further finds that many young people lack exposure to or access to structured training pathways that lead to high-wage maritime careers, causing the State to lose potential homegrown talent to out‑migration. Your Committee believes that conducting a comprehensive study to design a statewide youth apprenticeship pathway will help develop a sustainable talent pipeline by aligning training, employer engagement, and workforce needs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2416, 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 Labor,

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair