What's Being Discussed

The Data Sharing and Governance Working Group (DSGWG) is meeting on August 28, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. The group is working on a state law requirement to improve how Hawaii government agencies share data — with the goal of helping address affordability and population decline through better-informed policy on education, jobs, and economic development.

• Advisory groups: The chair will present a proposed list of community stakeholders to invite into focus groups, including parents, students, labor organizations, businesses, researchers, and educators.
• Focus group meetings: Proposed virtual sessions on September 9 and 16 to gather input from those stakeholder groups.
• Project milestones: An updated timeline toward completing the group's final report will be reviewed.
• Data gaps: Updates on tracking data from high school to workforce, federal employment, and self-employment records.
• Barriers to data sharing: Reports from interviews with working group members about what makes cross-agency data sharing difficult.
• Strategic plan alignment: A check on whether existing data-sharing efforts match state and county plans, including those from the University of Hawaii and workforce development agencies.
• Unemployment records: Discussion is postponed pending an interview with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations director.

Decisions Expected

• Approve the list of stakeholders for advisory groups
• Approve the format, dates, and times for focus group meetings
• Review and approve updated project milestones
• Confirm the next meeting date of October 12, 2026

Who Should Pay Attention

• Parents, students, and educators
• Workers and labor organizations
• Businesses and employers
• Equity, privacy, and social justice advocates
• Anyone interested in how Hawaii state agencies collect and share data