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Committee backs HB 1615 to boost Hawaii’s blue economy, including ocean cluster and tech development
Summary
The committee passed HB 1615 with technical amendments to align transfer language to Senate Bill 2907 SD1 HD1 and deferred the effective date; supporters from startups, investors and government hailed the bill as a way to grow local ocean and marine technology industries.
The Senate Agriculture and Environment committee voted to pass HB 1615 with amendments on March 25, approving technical changes that replace certain transfer language with language from SB 2907 SD1 HD1 and moving the bill’s effective date by amendment to July 1, 2050.
Supporters included representatives from the Governor’s Office, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, local startups and investor networks. Valerie Harmon, CEO of NACA Algae, testified: “I’m the CEO of NACA algae. We use strong support for HB 1615,” and described 27 years working in ocean technology and aquaculture in Hawaii. Other witnesses—representatives of Blue Startups, Hawaii Angels and several hardware and marine-technology firms—said the bill would help coordinate a local ocean cluster, retain graduates and expand supply chains.
Company witnesses described concrete local activity: one testified their firm will employ at least 10 people to produce microalgae for animal and fish feed and pointed to local feed‑mill construction that could use those inputs. Another witness, representing Jonu, said the company manufactures flood-monitoring hardware in Hawaii and has deployed systems across multiple states.
Committee discussion emphasized workforce development and coordination with educational institutions. Committee members pressed how the state would scale training and internships; HCDC and department representatives said they are working with the University of Hawaii and local colleges to build internship pathways.
The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with the technical amendment and set a defective effective date as read into the record; the motion carried by voice vote of members present.
