STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3229

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 123

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 123 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AEROSPACE AS A STRATEGIC AND TIMELY GROWTH INDUSTRY FOR HAWAII AND REQUESTING THE STATE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE PROACTIVE, COORDINATED, AND SUSTAINED ACTION TO FULLY REALIZE THE SIGNIFICANT SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND COMMERCIAL BENEFITS THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY CAN BRING TO THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to recognize aerospace as a strategic and timely growth industry for Hawaii, and to request the state administration to take proactive, coordinated, and sustained action to fully realize the significant scientific, educational, and commercial benefits the aerospace industry can bring to the State.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one state department, two local state universities, one military auxiliary organization, sixteen private entities, and four individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Historically, Hawaii has played a seminal role in developing the nation's space program, beginning with astronaut training for the Apollo lunar missions and the development of world-class observatories on the Big Island, and leading to a variety of nationally-funded programs in planetary geosciences, satellite communications, space-based remote sensing and environmental monitoring, deep-space surveillance, and other aerospace-related activities sponsored by the University of Hawaii, the U.S. military, and numerous companies statewide.

     Hawaii's strategic assets include its unique mid-Pacific location, moon- and Mars-like terrain, resident expertise covering a broad range of aerospace-related technologies, and long-standing ties with space-faring nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region.  Hawaii affords strategic assets and capabilities that can be leveraged to help realize humankind's full potential in space, and in so doing engage our State as a major contributor to and beneficiary of the global space enterprise.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 123, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair