Hawaii Senate Bill SR70

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

The resolution posits that allowing the examination in Japanese could lead to a higher pass rate for Japanese-speaking applicants. This increase in potential new salespersons could correlate with a rise in timeshare product sales to Japanese-speaking tourists. Additionally, it emphasizes the distinction between hotel visitors and timeshare owners; the latter group tends to foster more consistent economic support and involvement in Hawaii's local communities, enriching the local economy through repeated visits. By potentially increasing the number of qualified salespersons, the bill aims to support Hawaii's tourism sector comprehensively.

Summary

Senate Resolution 70 (SR70) urges the Real Estate Commission of Hawaii to permit the administration of the real estate salesperson's examination in the Japanese language. The bill focuses specifically on issuing a full real estate salesperson's license for the sale of timeshare products in Hawaii. Its primary target is to promote engagement with Japanese-speaking visitors, thereby enhancing their involvement and support of the local tourism industry in Hawaii. This initiative reflects an understanding of the significant role that Japanese tourists play in the timeshare market and acknowledges the barriers that language presents to aspiring real estate salespersons.

Contention

While the SR70 resolution does not mandate statutory changes, it does request the Real Estate Commission to leverage its existing authority to implement this measure. The resolution highlights the adaptability of the real estate licensing process, noting that there are precedents in other licensing scenarios, such as driver’s licenses, where examinations are offered in multiple languages to accommodate diverse populations. Nonetheless, potential opposition could arise from stakeholders who prioritize English proficiency or have concerns over maintaining high standards for salespersons in the competitive real estate market.