Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology and Business and Economic Development and Water, Land, and Agriculture and Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 218, H.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the High Technology Development Corporation, the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, the University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, the Department of Education, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Kamehameha Schools, and the Hawaii Science and Technology Council to collaborate and plan for a comprehensive medical and life sciences research and technology park in Kakaako.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the High Technology Development Corporation, the University of Hawaii System, the Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools, the Hawaii Science and Technology Council, and the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

The Hawaii Science and Technology Council has been instrumental in coordinating the efforts of a consortium consisting of various interested state agencies, schools, and organizations in creating a comprehensive medical and life sciences research and technology park in Hawaii. The land adjacent to the Mother Mary Waldron Park in the Kakaako District, which is owned by the State, is suitable for development and is envisioned as the area to develop the research and technology park.

Your Committees find that it is vital to encourage, support, and facilitate medical and life science research, technology, and education. Your Committees further find that there is a tremendous public value and benefit from the collaboration and cooperation of activities in a central area that will provide facilities and resources for education, training, research, and technology, where private companies will support the collective needs of the various schools, universities, and state agencies. A research and technology park will encourage further research and advances in the fields of medicine and life sciences, encourage scientists to conduct their research in Hawaii, and designate Hawaii as the premier research and technology center in the Pacific.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology and Business and Economic Development and Water, Land, and Agriculture and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 218, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.