Relating To International Relations.
HB1331 would reestablish and rename the state’s international affairs office as the Office of International Relations within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). It expands the office’s statutory duties to include broader statewide coordination on international matters, policy development, strategic planning, liaison work with foreign governments and consulates, and oversight of international programs across state agencies. The bill also requires the office to prepare a comprehensive state strategic plan for international activities and submit it to the Legislature by early 2026.
The measure additionally creates the Matsunaga Aloha Pacific Academy for administrative purposes within the office. The academy would collaborate with the Matsunaga Institute at the University of Hawaii, seek funding from public and private sources, establish a main facility on Kauai, and facilitate international affairs meetings focused on the Pacific region. The bill includes an unspecified general fund appropriation for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the new office and its functions.
In terms of state law, HB1331 amends Section 201-17 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and adds a new section to Chapter 201. It changes the office’s name from “international affairs” to “international relations,” expands its enumerated responsibilities, and directs state agencies with international-related programs to coordinate with the office. The bill also gives the office exclusive jurisdiction over overlapping responsibilities in certain circumstances, which could centralize authority over international policy coordination within DBEDT.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is positive and aspirational, emphasizing Hawaii’s role in the Pacific, peace education, cultural exchange, and international cooperation. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of opposition or support from hearings; however, the bill’s structure suggests a policy-oriented effort to revive and strengthen a previously sunset office. Potential points of contention would likely center on the appropriations, the scope of the office’s authority over other agencies, and whether the new academy and expanded duties duplicate existing functions.
No voting history or committee debate is available in the provided materials, so the bill’s reception cannot be assessed beyond its introduced language and stated purpose.
HB1331 would amend Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 201 to rename the Office of International Affairs as the Office of International Relations, expand its statutory duties, and create the Matsunaga Aloha Pacific Academy within DBEDT for administrative purposes. It would also require interagency coordination on international activities, mandate a statewide strategic plan, and appropriate general funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, affecting DBEDT, other state agencies with international programs, and potential external partners such as the University of Hawaii and private funders.
The bill’s tone is strongly supportive of international engagement, Pacific regional leadership, peace studies, and cultural exchange. The findings and purpose sections frame the measure as a revival and expansion of a previously successful state office, and the bill presents the academy and office as beneficial public institutions. Because no committee transcripts or votes are provided, there is no recorded public or legislative opposition in the supplied materials, but the bill’s broad administrative and fiscal changes could invite scrutiny if debated.
The main likely points of contention are the bill’s funding request, the breadth of the office’s new authority, and the potential for overlap with other state agencies or existing international programs. The bill expressly gives the office exclusive jurisdiction over overlapping responsibilities in some cases, which could raise concerns about centralization and interagency conflict. Another possible issue is whether establishing the Matsunaga Aloha Pacific Academy and a Kauai facility creates new administrative costs or duplicates work already being done by the University of Hawaii or other entities.