STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1658-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 187

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.R. No. 187 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF YAMAGATA, JAPAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii, United States of America, and the Prefecture of Yamagata, Japan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Yamagata Kenjinkai; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State and Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, share long-standing historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties rooted in Japanese immigration and ongoing cultural exchange. Your Committee further finds that a formal sister-state relationship between the State and Yamagata Prefecture will strengthen institutional collaboration, economic opportunity, and cultural exchange for the benefit of residents, businesses, students, and communities in both jurisdictions. This measure seeks to deepen the partnership between the State and Yamagata Prefecture by establishing a sister-state relationship.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 187 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

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GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair