STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1789

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 189

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII MAUI COLLEGE, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY NEEDS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION OF SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii Community Colleges, including the University of Hawaii Maui College, to develop a comprehensive list of Bachelor's degree programs that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that the State's economic vitality depends on a skilled workforce that meets the needs of key regional industries, including tourism and hospitality, agriculture, marine research, renewable energy, and health care. Your Committee also finds that each of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges plays a vital role in providing accessible, regionally-relevant higher education that supports local economic development. Aligning academic programs with current and emerging job opportunities in each region will benefit students, local employers, and the overall economic growth of the State.

Your Committee notes that focusing exclusively on Bachelor’s degree programs may limit the flexibility to offer academic pathways that anticipate future workforce trends.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by including associate's degrees, certificates, and other existing pathways in the development of the comprehensive list pursuant to this measure.

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. 189, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 189, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair