URGING THE EAST-WEST CENTER TO EXPAND INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT AROUND THE WORLD AND SERVE AS A BRIDGE TO HELP THE STATE SHARE ITS UNIQUE EXPERTISE WITH TROPICAL AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY, PUBLIC HEALTH, EDUCATION, CLEAN ENERGY, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, WHERE IT MIGHT BE MOST HELPFUL TO OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD.

2025 Regular Session

Urges the East-West Center to expand international engagement and share Hawaii’s expertise in tropical agriculture, health, education, energy, and development globally.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 744).

#east-westcenter #globalaid #internationalrelations

Overview

SCR178 is a concurrent resolution adopted by both chambers of the Hawaii State Legislature in 2025. Its primary purpose is to urge the East-West Center (EWC), based in Honolulu, to broaden its international engagement and to act as a bridge for sharing Hawaii’s expertise in tropical agriculture, food security, public health, education, clean energy, and sustainable development with communities around the world. The resolution emphasizes collaboration with governments, organizations, universities, and community stakeholders, and it encourages participation by state leaders, subject-matter experts, students, and others.

Main purpose and intent

Position the East-West Center as a global connector that can help address food security, public health, and related development challenges through Hawaii’s strengths.

Promote international partnerships by leveraging government, academic, and nonprofit expertise.

Expand Hawaii’s role in supporting tropical agriculture, food security, public health, education, clean energy, and sustainable development in other communities.

Key provisions and changes

Urges the East-West Center to expand international engagement worldwide and to serve as a bridge to share Hawaii’s expertise in the areas listed above.

Encourages collaboration with governments, organizations, universities, and community stakeholders to utilize Hawaii’s expertise to assist other communities facing similar challenges.

Encourages participation by state leaders, subject-matter experts, students, and others to learn, broaden worldviews, and build mutually beneficial partnerships.

Requires certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Governor, the President of the University of Hawaii System, and the President of the East-West Center.

Who/what is affected

East-West Center (primary subject of the resolution and potential collaborator and implementer).

Hawaii state government and state leadership (through the encouragement of participation and partnerships).

University of Hawaii System (receives a copy of the resolution).

Governments, organizations, universities, and community stakeholders involved in global aid, international relations, and development initiatives (potential partners).

Procedural timeline and status

Introduced: March 7, 2025.

Referred to committees (HRE/TCA) in March 2025; public hearings held; amendments considered.

Senate actions: Amended version SD1 transmitted to House (April 3, 2025); adopted as amended in Senate (April 3, 2025).

House actions: Received from Senate (April 15, 2025); adopted in final form (April 16, 2025).

Final status: Resolution adopted in final form on April 16, 2025 (SCR178).

Type: Concurrent resolution (non-binding, expresses legislative intent and guidance to the EWC).

Potential impact

Non-binding guidance that may influence the East-West Center’s future programming and partnerships.

Signals legislative support for expanding Hawaii’s international engagement and for leveraging local expertise to assist global communities facing tropical agriculture, food security, health, education, energy, and development challenges.

Could shape conversations with potential international partners and inform future funding or collaborative initiatives, though no new funding is specified in the resolution.

Bill

Summary: SCR178 — East-West Center; Global Aid; International Relations