Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations and Science, Arts, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2043 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation to the Aviation Museum of the Pacific.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the state Department of Defense, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Historic Hawaii Foundation, Military Aviation Museum of the Pacific, Association of Naval Aviation Pearl Harbor Squadron, NAS BP Museum/Hawaii Museum of Flying, Air Force Civilian Advisory Council, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Bank of Hawaii, Kaimana Aviation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association, and five individuals.

This appropriation is to be used for the restoration and exhibits for a new air museum to be built at Ford Island. The $1,000,000 appropriation is to be matched by $3,000,000 by the museum. According to testimony, while the USS Arizona, USS Bowfin, and USS Missouri provide important historical statements, the lack of a similar tangible illustration of the aviation story is a glaring omission. Your Committees find that the goal is to have a museum that utilizes airplanes to capture the context and experiences of history within dramatic venues, to immerse the visitor in historic moments long past. The museum plans on the use of dramatic exhibits, dioramas, and displays. The museum is in honor of the valor and sacrifice made by American aviators, their ground support crews, and so many others who played important roles.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations and Science, Arts, and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2043 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.