HI SR149

Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to convene a working group to develop an integrated strategic plan for Hawaii's regional engagement in the Pacific Islands region.

Working group shall aim to reaffirm Hawaii as the political, economic, environmental, sociological, and technological epicenter for regional engagement in the Pacific Islands.

Working group membership includes six designees: President of the Pacific Forum, Executive Director of Papa Ola Lokahi, President of the Hawaii Compacts of Free Association Advocacy Hui, Dean of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, President of the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii, and Director of the Center for Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Studies at Georgetown University.

Strategic plan should address overlapping regional concerns including migration, health care, climate change, gender, and economic development while harmonizing U.S. policy approaches to North and South Pacific engagement.

Certified copies of the resolution shall be transmitted to the Governor, relevant department directors, and all working group members.