STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1703-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 92

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.R. No. 92 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Workforce Development Council to recommend to the Governor, for inclusion in the State Unified Plan, a comprehensive statewide workforce strategy to ensure that all people of the State have a pathway to a career that enables them to learn, work, and thrive in the State and contribute to a vibrant local economy grounded in community values by 2045.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Workforce Development Council; Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative; HawaiiKidsCAN; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Holomua Collaborative; Hawaiʻi Gas Company; Title Guaranty of Hawaii; HPM Building Supply; Mana Up; aio Family of Companies; and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.

Your Committee finds that the State is facing significant economic and demographic challenges, including a high cost of living, widening gaps between wages and household survival costs, and the risk of losing local talent as working residents and youth seek opportunities outside the State. Although multiple state agencies and partners are engaged in workforce development efforts, the absence of a common long‑term statewide strategy limits alignment, accountability, and the effective integration of education, workforce training, and employment opportunities. Establishing a comprehensive, metrics‑driven statewide workforce strategy will better coordinate public and private efforts and support the development of a resilient local economy that allows residents to build sustainable careers in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 92 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

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JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair