STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2048

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 193

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 193, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND OTHER INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS 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 to develop a comprehensive list of bachelor's degree programs and other innovative workforce development pathways that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's economic vitality depends on a skilled workforce that meets the needs of key regional industries. Your Committee further finds that each of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges play a vital role in providing accessible, regionally‑relevant higher education that supports local economic development. Your Committee believes that the University of Hawaii Community Colleges can best support the economic needs within their respective region of service by developing a comprehensive list of Bachelor's degree programs and other innovative workforce development pathways that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 193, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Labor in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 193, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair