HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. NO. 111 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE RESOLUTION Requesting the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to Study the ESTABLISHMENT of a Hawaii WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE award program.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. NO. 111
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.R. NO.
111
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE 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 House of Representatives 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. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: DLIR; Meilleur Ouvrier de France; Craftsmanship; Hawaii Outstanding Workers 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 House of Representatives 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.
OFFERED BY: _____________________________
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DLIR; Meilleur Ouvrier de France; Craftsmanship; Hawaii Outstanding Workers Award Program