REQUESTING THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO INCREASE ITS FOCUS ON ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND CYBERSECURITY TO BUILD A STRONGER, DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY, CREATE HIGH-WAGE JOB OPPORTUNITIES, AND POSITION HAWAII AS A LEADER IN INNOVATION AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE PACIFIC.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Greggor Ilagan

HCR 156 asks HTDC to expand focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to diversify Hawaii’s economy and create higher-wage jobs, with program and workforce ideas.

Report and Resolution Adopted. Transmitted to House.

#advancedmanufacturing #cybersecurity #hawaiitechnologydevelopmentcorporation

Purpose

HCR 156 requests that the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) broaden and intensify its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The resolution frames this as a strategy to diversify Hawaii’s economy, create higher‑wage jobs, improve supply‑chain resilience, and position the State as a leader in innovation and national security within the Pacific region.

Key provisions

Requests HTDC to increase attention to advanced manufacturing (use of AI, 3D printing, robotics, etc.) and to cybersecurity initiatives.

Requests HTDC to identify:

manufacturing programs,
available funding opportunities,
and other resources that can help local manufacturers develop innovative technologies.

Requests HTDC to identify resources and workforce‑preparation activities aimed at readying Hawaii’s workforce for advanced manufacturing roles.

Articulates goals for these efforts: lowering cost of living, increasing self‑sufficiency, and promoting long‑term economic sustainability.

Directs that a certified copy of the Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the HTDC Executive Director.

Who is affected

Primary addressee: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) — asked to prioritize and research opportunities; no mandate to expend funds.

Local small and medium manufacturers — intended beneficiaries through programs, funding, training, and technical assistance.

Hawaii workforce — potential pathways to higher‑wage advanced manufacturing jobs.

Broader state economy and consumers — potential downstream effects from increased local production and supply‑chain resilience.

Federal partners (e.g., Department of Defense) are referenced as potential collaborators given Hawaii’s large military presence.

Procedural timeline / actions

Offered: 2025-03-07 (listed as offered)

Committee referrals, hearings, and recommendations: March–April 2025 (ECD and EDT committees recommended adoption; hearings occurred in March–April)

Adopted in final form by the Legislature: 2025-04-16 (and subsequent adoption and enrollment actions through May)

Transmitted to Governor: 2025-05-30

Signed by Governor: 2025-06-20

Limitations and practical impact

HCR 156 is a concurrent resolution: it expresses legislative intent and makes formal requests but does not create binding legal duties, appropriate funds, or change statutory law.

Actual outcomes depend on HTDC’s voluntary actions and available resources (and any subsequent appropriations or programmatic authorizations by the Legislature or executive branch).

Potential benefits include job creation, diversification, improved cybersecurity posture, and greater supply‑chain resilience; realization of these benefits would likely require follow‑on funding, partnerships (public/private and federal), and implementation plans.

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