Hawaii Senate Bill SCR87

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/11/25

Caption

Strongly Urging The Real Estate Commission To Allow For The Administration Of The Real Estate Salesperson's Examination In The Japanese Language For Purposes Of Issuing A Full Real Estate Salesperson's License, Limited To The Sale Of Timeshare Products In Hawaii, To Promote The Sale Of These Products To Japanese-speaking Visitors And Enhance Japan's Involvement In And Support Of The Hawaii Tourism Industry.

Impact

If enacted, SCR87 would allow the Real Estate Commission significant leeway to issue real estate salesperson licenses specifically for timeshare sales to those who pass the examination in Japanese. This could lead to an increase in the number of qualified salespersons available to engage with Japanese-speaking tourists and support their sales, thus potentially boosting the timeshare market in Hawaii. This initiative is framed as an opportunity to elevate Hawaii's tourism competitiveness, particularly compared to other destinations that cater to Japanese tourists.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 87 (SCR87) urges the Real Estate Commission of Hawaii to allow the real estate salesperson's examination to be administered in the Japanese language. This proposal is aimed specifically at enabling the sale of timeshare products to Japanese-speaking visitors, thus promoting stronger ties between the Japanese market and the Hawaii tourism industry. It emphasizes the belief that providing the exam in Japanese will enhance the involvement of Japanese citizens in local commerce and increase the frequency of their visits to Hawaii, which is beneficial for the state's economy.

Contention

While the bill does not appear to contain significant controversy, discussions may arise concerning the implications of providing state licensing examinations in languages other than English. Proponents argue that accommodating language differences is essential for inclusivity and economic growth, drawing parallels to other state examinations that are already available in multiple languages. However, there may be concerns about setting a precedent for additional language accommodations or the operational challenges of implementing such changes within the existing framework of the Real Estate Commission.