STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2197-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 139

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 S.C.R. No. 139 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT 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 University of Hawaiʻi System; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Workforce Development Council; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Office of Economic Revitalization of the City and County of Honolulu; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; HawaiiKidsCAN; Holomua Collaborative; Hawaiʻi Gas; Mana Up; HPM Building Supply; Title Guaranty of Hawaii; aio Family of Companies; Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative; Lanakila Pacific; and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186.

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 S.C.R. No. 139 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