REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO STUDY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HAWAII WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM.

This House Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study creating a state-level "Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program" for craftspersons, modeled after France's Meilleur Ouvrier de France. The study would assess how to adapt the French model to Hawaii's context, identify key industries to include, and identify cost-effective implementation methods. The Department must submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislation, to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not establish the program but directs a formal study to explore its feasibility.