STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1775-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 195

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 Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 195 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 26-08 REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HAWAII'S FARM-TO-SCHOOL AND LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education to convene a working group to address the findings and recommendations of Auditor's Report No. 26-08 regarding the implementation of Hawaii's farm-to-school and local food procurement initiatives.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee finds that the Farm‑to‑School and local food procurement initiatives are intended to strengthen student nutrition while supporting Hawaii's local agricultural sector and food system resilience. Your Committee further finds that Auditor's Report No. 26‑08 identified significant implementation challenges within the Department of Education, including the need for improved planning, coordination, data collection, and accountability to meet the State's local food procurement goals. Your Committee additionally finds that addressing the Auditor's findings will require coordinated engagement among relevant agencies and stakeholders. This measure requests the Department of Education to convene a working group to address the findings and recommendations of Auditor's Report No. 26‑08 and id0entify strategies for strengthening the Department's ability to meet its local food procurement goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives as recipients of certified copies of this measure; and

(2) 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 195, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 195, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair