SR 176: supporting and ENCOURAGING a broader relationship BETWEEN THE STATE and the kingdom of norway.

SENATE RESOLUTION

supporting and ENCOURAGING a broader relationship BETWEEN THE STATE and the kingdom of norway.

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the State to cultivate meaningful relationships with countries and governments to collaborate on solutions to shared challenges; and

     WHEREAS, the State and the Kingdom of Norway share common challenges as geographically distinct regions with unique environmental, economic, and social concerns; and

     WHEREAS, both the State and Norway are deeply reliant on their marine environments, with significant portions of their economies and cultures tied to fisheries, aquaculture, and ocean conservation; and

     WHEREAS, Norway has developed one of the world's most sustainable and technologically advanced fishing and aquaculture industries, offering valuable insights that could benefit Hawaii's ongoing efforts to enhance its local seafood production and marine resource management; and

     WHEREAS, both the State and Norway are at the forefront of renewable energy development, with Hawaii committed to achieving one hundred percent renewable energy by 2045 and Norway being a global leader in hydropower, offshore wind energy, and electric transportation; and

     WHEREAS, the State could benefit from Norway's expertise in electric mobility, sustainable urban planning, and green energy infrastructure, particularly in relation to integrating clean energy into island-based economies; and

     WHEREAS, the State could further benefit from Norway's approach to prisons and criminal justice, as a subject of conversation and collaboration; and

     WHEREAS, tourism is a major economic driver for both Hawaii and Norway, and the two regions can exchange best practices in sustainable tourism management to balance economic growth with environmental preservation; and

     WHEREAS, Norway has a strong tradition of Arctic and marine research that aligns with the State's research institutions' focus on oceanography, climate change, and marine biodiversity, creating opportunities for academic and scientific collaboration; and

     WHEREAS, Norway has established a robust social safety net that provides comprehensive healthcare, education, and social welfare programs, serving as a model for policies that support quality of life and economic stability; and

     WHEREAS, fostering a broader relationship between Hawaii and Norway would enhance cross-cultural understanding, facilitate economic and academic partnerships, and promote joint initiatives in renewable energy, ocean conservation, and sustainable development; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that this body supports and encourages a broader relationship between the State and the Kingdom of Norway; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Report Title: 

Hawaii; Kingdom of Norway

SENATE RESOLUTION

supporting and ENCOURAGING a broader relationship BETWEEN THE STATE and the kingdom of norway.

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the State to cultivate meaningful relationships with countries and governments to collaborate on solutions to shared challenges; and

     WHEREAS, the State and the Kingdom of Norway share common challenges as geographically distinct regions with unique environmental, economic, and social concerns; and

     WHEREAS, both the State and Norway are deeply reliant on their marine environments, with significant portions of their economies and cultures tied to fisheries, aquaculture, and ocean conservation; and

     WHEREAS, Norway has developed one of the world's most sustainable and technologically advanced fishing and aquaculture industries, offering valuable insights that could benefit Hawaii's ongoing efforts to enhance its local seafood production and marine resource management; and

     WHEREAS, both the State and Norway are at the forefront of renewable energy development, with Hawaii committed to achieving one hundred percent renewable energy by 2045 and Norway being a global leader in hydropower, offshore wind energy, and electric transportation; and

     WHEREAS, the State could benefit from Norway's expertise in electric mobility, sustainable urban planning, and green energy infrastructure, particularly in relation to integrating clean energy into island-based economies; and

     WHEREAS, tourism is a major economic driver for both Hawaii and Norway, and the two regions can exchange best practices in sustainable tourism management to balance economic growth with environmental preservation; and

     WHEREAS, Norway has a strong tradition of Arctic and marine research that aligns with the State's research institutions' focus on oceanography, climate change, and marine biodiversity, creating opportunities for academic and scientific collaboration; and

     WHEREAS, Norway has established a robust social safety net that provides comprehensive healthcare, education, and social welfare programs, serving as a model for policies that support quality of life and economic stability; and

     WHEREAS, fostering a broader relationship between Hawaii and Norway would enhance cross-cultural understanding, facilitate economic and academic partnerships, and promote joint initiatives in renewable energy, ocean conservation, and sustainable development; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that this body supports and encourages a broader relationship between the State and the Kingdom of Norway; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Report Title: 

Hawaii; Kingdom of Norway

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1621

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 176

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.R. No. 176 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING A BROADER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support and encourage a broader relationship between the State and the Kingdom of Norway. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Maritime Group and two individuals.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that it is in the best interest of the State to cultivate meaningful international relationships to collaborate on shared goals and issues.  Due to a shared reliance on marine environments, demonstrated by strong economic and cultural ties to fisheries, aquaculture, and ocean conservation, the State and Kingdom of Norway are uniquely well-suited to establish a mutually beneficial relationship.  Your Committee further finds that the State would benefit greatly from Norway's expertise in electric mobility, sustainable aquaculture, and marine research.  Accordingly, this measure will encourage the State to foster a deeper relationship with the Kingdom of Norway.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting language that acknowledges that the State could benefit from collaboration and conversation regarding Norway's approach to prisons and criminal justice.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 176, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 176, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,