Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Innovate Hawaii Manufacturing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committees advance bill to support Hawaii-manufactured products; $500,000 appropriation moved to committee report
Summary
House Bill 449, which establishes technology-enablement and promotes locally manufactured products through the Innovate Hawaii program, was advanced as HD1; committees deleted duplicative text, blanked the appropriation in the bill and placed $500,000 in the committee report.
House Bill 449, which would create a program to provide technology enablement for small businesses in the tourism sector and appropriate funds to promote Hawaii-manufactured products through the Innovate Hawaii program, was advanced by joint House committees on Jan. 30, 2025.
Wayne Inouye of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation described the Innovate Hawaii program and the difficulties of manufacturing in Hawaii, including higher transportation and energy costs. “We use a system called voice of the customer, which really gets the feedback of our constituents,” Inouye said, describing the program’s approach to working with local manufacturers.
The Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Chamber of Commerce submitted written support, and the committees recorded six written statements in support and none in opposition; the Hawaii Tourism Authority submitted comments. The committees deleted duplicative language that mirrored HB 448, blanked the appropriation in the bill text and moved the $500,000 appropriation to the committee report for later inclusion.
Members adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 449 as HD1 with the specified amendments. The bill will proceed as amended with the appropriation tracked in the committee report.
