HR 115: ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT, AND COMMEMORATING THE RELATIONSHIPS AND EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND TAIWAN.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT, AND COMMEMORATING THE RELATIONSHIPS AND EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND TAIWAN.

     WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan are bonded by a shared commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and a free market economy; and

     WHEREAS, to further support and reinforce trading partnerships, the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade has reached an agreement to develop concrete methods to deepen the economic and trade relationship of the countries, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, and promote innovative and inclusive economic growth for workers and businesses, including through new trade agreements; and

     WHEREAS, in order to strengthen bilateral trade, the government of Taiwan has expressed its desire to sign a bilateral trade agreement, bilateral investment agreement, and avoidance of double taxation agreement with the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii and Taiwan have had an established sister-state relationship since 1993 that has developed an enduring and mutually beneficiary friendship, exemplified by the Taiwan government's generous $500,000 contribution to Hawaii in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to the strong reciprocal trading partnership, the State of Hawaii Office in Taipei and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu have been working together to promote substantial cooperation and exchanges in areas of tourism, agriculture, culture, and education; and

     WHEREAS, the United States-Taiwan Education Initiative was launched in 2020 to strengthen cooperation on international education and enhance Taiwan's role in providing Mandarin Chinese language instruction; and

     WHEREAS, given the designation of Mandarin Chinese as a critical language and Taiwan's plans to be bilingual by 2030, schools and institutions of higher education in both Hawaii and Taiwan have enhanced their exchanges, as exemplified by the partnership between University of Hawaii and the National Tsing Hua University; and

     WHEREAS, for years, Taiwan has actively engaged in climate change research, supported anti-terrorism cooperation, and worked with its partners to tackle transnational crime; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's meaningful participation in bodies such as the World Health Organization, International Criminal Police Organization, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and International Civil Aviation Organization would make international mechanisms truly global; and

     WHEREAS, the United States has assisted Taiwan in participating in the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization and will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in these and other international organizations; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that this body joins the United States to endorse the participation of Taiwan as an observer in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, International Civil Aviation Organization, World Health Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body supports the first agreement under the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and encourages the United States Trade Representative to commence negotiations to enter into a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body commemorates the State of Hawaii's thirty-second anniversary of sister-state relations with Taiwan and supports mutual beneficiary exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Republic of China; President of the United States; President of the United States Senate; Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; United States Secretary of State; members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation; Governor; and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Report Title: 

Hawaii; Taiwan; United States; International Relations; International Participation

HOUSE RESOLUTION

ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT, AND COMMEMORATING THE RELATIONSHIPS AND EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND TAIWAN.

     WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan are bonded by a shared commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and a free market economy; and

     WHEREAS, to further support and reinforce trading partnerships, the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade has reached an agreement to develop concrete methods to deepen their economic and trade relationship, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, and promote innovative and inclusive economic growth for workers and businesses, including through new trade agreements; and

     WHEREAS, in order to strengthen bilateral trade, the government of Taiwan has expressed its desire to sign a Bilateral Trade Agreement, Bilateral Investment Agreement, and Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii and Taiwan have an established sister-state relationship since 1993, that has developed an enduring and mutually beneficiary friendship exemplified by the Taiwan government's generous $500,000 contribution to Hawaii in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to the strong reciprocal trading partnership, the State of Hawaii Office in Taipei and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu have been working together to promote substantial cooperation and exchanges in areas of tourism, agriculture, culture, and education; and

     WHEREAS, the United States-Taiwan Education Initiative was launched in 2020 to strengthen cooperation on international education and highlight Taiwan's ability to provide Mandarin language instruction; and

     WHEREAS, given Mandarin's designation as a critical language and Taiwan's plans to be bilingual by 2030, schools and institutions of higher education in both Hawaii and Taiwan are encouraged to enhance their exchanges, as exemplified by the partnership between University of Hawaii and the National Tsing Hua University; and

     WHEREAS, for years, Taiwan has actively engaged in climate change research, supported anti-terrorism cooperation, and worked with its partners to tackle transnational crime; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's meaningful participation in bodies such as the World Health Organization, International Criminal Police Organization, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and International Civil Aviation Organization would make international mechanisms truly global; and

     WHEREAS, the United States has assisted Taiwan in participating in the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization and will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in these and other international organizations; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that this body joins the United States to endorse the participation of Taiwan as an observer in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, International Civil Aviation Organization, World Health Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body supports the first agreement under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, and encourages the United States Trade Representative to commence negotiations to enter in to a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body commemorates the State of Hawaii's thirty-second anniversary of sister-state relations with Taiwan and supports mutual beneficiary exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States; President of the United States Senate; Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; United States Secretary of State; members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation; Governor; and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Report Title: 

Hawaii; Taiwan; United States; International Relations; International Participation

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1842

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 115

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 115, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT, AND COMMEMORATING THE RELATIONSHIPS AND EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND TAIWAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is related to strengthening the relationship between Taiwan and the State of Hawaii, as well as promoting Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. The resolution endorses Taiwan's involvement in global organizations, supports a trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan, and commemorates the longstanding partnership between Hawaii and Taiwan.

     Your Committee received no testimony for this measure. 

Your Committee finds that Taiwan's international participation is vital for global stability and economic growth. Supporting a U.S.-Taiwan bilateral trade agreement enhances trade relations, benefiting both nations. Additionally, this resolution commemorates the longstanding relationships and exchanges between Hawaii and Taiwan, strengthening cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties that benefit Hawaii's diverse communities and economy.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 115, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1613

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 115

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.R. No. 115 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT, AND COMMEMORATING THE RELATIONSHIPS AND EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND TAIWAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to endorse Taiwan's international participation, support the signing of a United States-Taiwan bilateral trade agreement, and commemorate the relationships and exchanges between the State of Hawaii and Taiwan.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

     Your Committee finds that the United States and Taiwan are bonded by a shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and human rights and have bolstered their trade relations through the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade.  Your Committee further finds that Hawaii and Taiwan have a sister-state relationship and have engaged in various cultural and language exchanges.  This measure reflects Hawaii's support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and continued economic partnership with the United States and acknowledges the long-standing relationship between Hawaii and Taiwan.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding the President of the Republic of China to the list of recipients of certified copies of this measure; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 115, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 115, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,