Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor and Economic Development, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 112, H.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to include in its annual report to the Legislature specific information on actions undertaken with regard to the identification and development of industry clusters, the development of labor supply and demand matrices, and the expansion of the educational pipeline.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT).

Your Committees find that the growth and diversification of Hawaii's economy is linked to the development of a highly-skilled and higher-paid workforce. Your Committees further find that pursuant to Act 148, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, codified at section 201-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, DBEDT is required to report annually to the Legislature on its efforts to increase the number of high-skilled jobs in targeted industry clusters. As a result of DBEDT's first annual report, the efforts of DBEDT, working in conjunction with the State Workforce Development Council, have revealed the need for the development of a comprehensive plan for maximizing workforce potential that requires the receipt and examination of specific information regarding actions to:

Your Committees determine that the continued concerted efforts of DBEDT and the Workforce Development Council will produce viable recommendations for addressing industry needs while also promoting business development.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor and Economic Development that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 112, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.