SR 48: Requesting the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to Study the ESTABLISHMENT of a Hawaii WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE award program.

SENATE RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to Study the ESTABLISHMENT of a Hawaii WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE award program.

     WHEREAS, the Meilleur Ouvrier de France, meaning "best craftsperson of France", is a historic competition established in 1924 to recognize and revitalize traditional craftsmanship in France; and

     WHEREAS, the competition preserves and expands artisans' knowledge through the fostering of competition and public elevation of craftsmanship; and

     WHEREAS, the Meilleur Ouvrier de France showcases France's unique culture through a diverse display of traditional professions, in over two hundred categories, including florists, chefs, and carpenters; and

     WHEREAS, those vying for the Meilleur Ouvrier de France title are judged against a standard of perfection, rather than against each other, allowing for multiple or no awardees; and

     WHEREAS, winners of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France are awarded a medal and state diploma and hosted by the French President at the Elysee Palace; and

     WHEREAS, Meilleur Ouvrier de France titles are awarded for life, christening winners as custodians of their trade and tasking them with the preservation and generational sharing of their knowledge; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii also has a rich history of fine craftsmanship and is home to a wide variety of tradespersons; and

     WHEREAS, preserving cultural knowledge and promoting alternative career paths to diversify the economy are key priorities for the State; and

     WHEREAS, creating a state award program for craftspersons would demonstrate the State's dedication to preserving its significant cultural history and promote future participation in potentially dwindling trades; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is requested to conduct a study, with industry input, on the establishment of a Workforce Excellence Award Program recognizing craftspersons in the State, where nominations are collected from the public and annual awards are presented by the Governor at a historically significant venue; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is requested to research, assess, and make recommendations on:

     (1)  A Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program similar to the Meilleur Ouvrier de France and how it may best be adapted to suit the State;

     (2)  Key industries to include in the Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program; and

     (3)  Cost-effective means of adopting the Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Governor and Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Report Title: 

DLIR; Meilleur Ouvrier de France; Craftsmanship; Hawaii Outstanding Workers Award Program

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1423

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 48

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.R. No. 48 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO STUDY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HAWAII WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study the establishment of a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

     Your Committee finds that promoting a diverse marketplace is fundamental to the State's goals of fostering workforce development and sustainable economic growth.  A successfully diverse economy includes manual trades and craftwork, which are often overlooked due to social stigmas.  France formulated a unique solution to this issue through the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition, which preserves and celebrates French heritage and craftsmanship by awarding titles in dozens of crafts, including woodworking and floristry.  The success of the competition demonstrates that honoring and preserving high standards of craftsmanship, skill, and professionalism in various trades is a valuable initiative to meet broader economic goals.  Therefore, this measure examines how the State may develop a similar program by requesting the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study the establishment of a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 48 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Technology,