REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO ESTABLISH THE HAWAII STATE FELLOWS PROGRAM.

HR 94 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) to establish the Hawaii State Fellows Program. The program would offer 10-11 month, full-time, paid fellowship positions to recent college graduates (requiring a bachelor’s degree, 2.5 GPA, and U.S. work authorization) to work across state agencies. Key provisions include structured mentorship, leadership training, and evaluation mechanisms to address Hawaii’s public sector recruitment and retention crisis (24% vacancy rate, 31% of employees eligible to retire within 5 years). DHRD must report program outcomes, including participation numbers and budget, to the Legislature by 2026. This is a procedural resolution, not a binding law, directing DHRD to develop the program.