STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2242-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 170

S.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 Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 170, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND TO ADVANCE BIOSECURITY, CONSERVATION, PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND OTHER ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage the State to establish a partnership with Aotearoa, otherwise known as New Zealand, to advance biosecurity, conservation, protection of endangered species, and other issues of mutual concern.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii and Aotearoa share a common heritage as Pacific island communities with strong histories of indigenous leadership and engagement and also face similar threats to agricultural resources, native habitats, and indigenous wildlife. Your Committee further finds that Aotearoa is a global leader in biodiversity and conservation and maintains an integrated system of prevention, management, and eradication of harmful pests and diseases. Your Committee also finds that a partnership between Hawaii and Aotearoa would create new opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaborative research, policy innovation, and shared environmental strategies and would contribute directly to Hawaii's ongoing work in biosecurity, conservation, climate resilience, and food and product innovation.

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 S.C.R. No. 170, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair