STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1422

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 63

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 63 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO STUDY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 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 establishment of 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 promoting a diverse marketplace is fundamental to the State's goals of fostering workforce development and sustainable economic growth. A successfully diverse economy includes manual trades and craftwork, which are often overlooked due to social stigmas. France formulated a unique solution to this issue through the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition, which preserves and celebrates French heritage and craftsmanship by awarding titles in dozens of crafts, including woodworking and floristry. The success of the competition demonstrates that honoring and preserving high standards of craftsmanship, skill, and professionalism in various trades is a valuable initiative to meet broader economic goals. Therefore, this measure examines how the State may develop a similar program by requesting the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study the establishment of a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program.

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. 63 and recommends its adoption.

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

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HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair