Bill
HCR 140
Hawaii should evaluate and pursue a formal MOU with New Zealand to boost trade, education, culture, and environmental collaboration.
Status: Concurrent resolution; introduced 04/21/2025. Adopted by both chambers May 2025 and signed by the Governor (final executive sign-off recorded 06/20/2025).
Purpose
- Urge the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to evaluate and develop recommendations for initiating a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Hawaii and New Zealand to strengthen ties in economic development, arts and cultural exchange, education, and environmental sustainability.
- Encourage the Governor and relevant state actors to take steps—once an MOU is established—to implement and facilitate ongoing collaboration.
Key provisions / what the resolution requests
- DBEDT is urged to:
- Evaluate the potential for an MOU with New Zealand.
- Develop recommendations for initiating that MOU to foster cooperation in trade, tourism, education, cultural exchange, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, renewable energy, agricultural innovation, marine conservation, and technology sharing.
- The Governor is urged, in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders, to take necessary steps to implement the MOU and facilitate ongoing collaboration.
- Upon establishment of the MOU, appropriate state agencies, educational institutions, business organizations, and cultural institutions are encouraged to develop joint programs and initiatives with New Zealand counterparts.
- Copies of the concurrent resolution are to be transmitted to the Governor, DBEDT Director, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand (HD1). The prior version referenced the Hawaii Sister-State Committee and its chair; HD1 replaces that with DBEDT and an MOU framework.
Who is affected
- State agencies and entities likely to take part in future collaboration: DBEDT (primary), Governor’s office, educational institutions, business groups, cultural organizations, environmental and emergency management agencies.
- New Zealand counterparts (governmental and institutional), including the office of the Prime Minister, would be potential partners in any MOU.
- The resolution is aspirational and facilitative—there are no new legal mandates or funding authorizations.
Procedural / timeline notes
- The resolution is non-binding (a concurrent resolution), expressing legislative intent and urging executive action and intergovernmental cooperation. It does not appropriate funds or create enforceable obligations.
- No specific deadline is set in the text for DBEDT to complete its evaluation or to report back.
- Companion measure: HR 134.
Potential impact
- Signals state-level interest in formalizing ties with New Zealand across several policy areas, which could lead to future agreements, exchange programs, joint projects, or public–private partnerships if DBEDT recommendations and executive actions move forward.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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