STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3434

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 5

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 5 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A HAWAII WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study the feasibility of establishing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Your Committee finds that in the Unites States, societal emphasis often leans toward college degrees and white-collar careers, which can overshadow the importance of skilled trades. Your Committee further finds that greater emphasis should be placed on honoring and preserving Hawaii's cultural knowledge and rich history of crafts and trades. Your Committee also finds that since 1924, France has held a highly successful competition to recognize and revitalize traditional French crafts known as the Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Your Committee believes that establishing an award program for Hawaiian traditional crafts and trades would elevate the cultural significance of these professions and promote career paths that do not require a degree by highlighting the diverse opportunities within the skilled labor market which will help attract younger individuals to apprenticeships and technical training programs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 5 and recommends its adoption.

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

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair