What's Being Discussed
The Data Sharing and Governance Working Group (DSGWG) is meeting on July 22, 2026, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. The group is working on ways to improve how Hawaii state agencies share data with each other — with the goal of helping address the state's affordability challenges and population decline. Key topics include:

Report milestones: The Chair will present progress on completing the group's final report and review a draft timeline.
Barriers to data sharing: The group will discuss obstacles that prevent state departments from easily sharing data, including findings from a comparison of how California, Colorado, and Washington handle similar challenges.
Data exchange partnership: A discussion about gaps in data collection — such as tracking students from high school into the workforce and capturing self-employment data — is being moved to the August meeting.
Strategic plan alignment: Staff will provide an update on gathering existing plans from state agencies, the University of Hawaii, and workforce groups to make sure data-sharing efforts are coordinated.
Unemployment wage records: The group will review whether Hawaii's unemployment records can be expanded to include occupation, pay rate, and work location.
Resource and staffing gaps: Progress on interviews to identify where agencies lack the staff or tools to collect and share data effectively.

Decisions Expected

Approval of March 26, 2026, meeting minutes
Approval of any revisions to report milestones
Decision on whether additional strategies are needed for assessing unemployment record systems
Approval of the next meeting date: August 20, 2026

Who Should Pay Attention

Residents concerned about education, jobs, and economic opportunity in Hawaii
Employers and workforce development stakeholders
Anyone interested in how state agencies collect and use data
Advocates working on housing affordability or population retention issues