SB2303

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2303
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

making an appropriation for the pacific aviation museum pearl harbor.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor, established in 1999, is a not-for-profit organization that is exempt from Internal Revenue Code 501 (c) (3) for tax purposes. The museum is currently contributing to the State's economy with the first of four phases. The museum's purpose is to develop a portion of Ford Island into a nationally recognized museum that will preserve aviation history, provide education to the young and old alike, and honor the patriotism, valor, and sacrifice made by aviators and their support personnel in the defense of freedom in the Pacific. When completed, the new museum will include exhibits reflecting World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam conflict, the Cold War, and current American air power. Phase I, which opened on December 7, 2006, features diorama exhibits of the early events of World War II, period and reproduction aircraft, an aviation education center, a flight simulation center, a theater, a museum store, a food service area, and the museum's offices.

To date, the museum has raised $14,000,000 in federal, state, and private funds. In 2004, the legislature appropriated a $1,000,000 grant-in-aid for phase I of the museum. During its first year of operation, the museum welcomed more than ninety-five thousand visitors, including four thousand seven hundred school children on education field trips. The museum's education program conforms with the department of education's Hawaii content and performance III standards for all grades in the areas of science, math, social studies, language arts, and fine arts. The majority of the museum's visitors are from out-of-state. The museum has been widely acclaimed as an excellent new tourism amenity, adding to the USS Arizona, USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, and USS Oklahoma memorial experiences at Pearl Harbor.

The legislature finds that additional state funds are necessary to provide the foundation for phase 2 of the museum to be housed in hangar 79 on Ford Island. Phase 2 development will include plans, design, and construction to improve and restore hangar 79, which comprises eighty-five thousand square feet. Phase 2 exhibits will encompass the remaining campaigns of World War II together with an introduction to the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. The current cost to complete phase 2 is estimated to be $33,000,000. The legislature has appropriated to date, $1,000,000 for phase 2 -- $500,000 in each of fiscal years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. During the first quarter of 2008, the museum plans to open a California office to launch a national campaign to fund the balance of phase 2. The State's ongoing support is extremely important in demonstrating to potential mainland funding sources the State's strong backing of the expanded museum. It is essential that the State appropriate the crucial funds to preserve aviation history and honor those who fought for our freedom.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor for phase 2 of the museum's development.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for phase 2 of the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act; provided that funds expended shall be restricted to the plans, design, and construction of museum facilities at hangar 79 on Ford Island.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________