STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3376

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 108

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 108 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I TO RENAME THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I INSTITUTE FOR ASTRONOMY TO THE PAUL H.I. COLEMAN ASTRONOMY CENTER,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i to rename the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy to the Paul H.I. Coleman Astronomy Center.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Exploratorium, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committees find that Paul H.I. Coleman was the first and only Native Hawaiian with a doctorate in astrophysics. Dr. Coleman's doctorate research focused on the sizes of distant galaxies observed at radio wavelengths and the implications of these for cosmological models. In his sixteen years with the Institute for Astronomy, Dr. Coleman played a key role in the Institute's education and public outreach efforts, speaking passionately about astronomy, its importance to Hawai‘i, its history in Native Hawaiian voyaging and wayfinding, and how Hawaiians could play a major role in the field. Dr. Coleman was also a tireless advocate for astronomy in Hawai‘i, advocating for the University of Hawai‘i and Institute for Astronomy to business groups, rotary clubs, and chambers of commerce across the State.

Your Committees further find that Dr. Coleman passed away on January 16, 2018, at the age of sixty-two, leaving behind a legacy in the field of astronomy and the Native Hawaiian community in Hawai‘i and throughout the world. He served as a mentor to a new generation of Native Hawaiian scientists and his dedication to the Native Hawaiian community, especially youth interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, was irreplaceable and unparalleled.

Your Committees recognize that the policy of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i requires that five years elapse after an individual's passing before consideration may be made in naming facilities or programs in honor of such individual. However, exceptions to this policy may be made under specified criteria, as was the case in naming the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo College of Pharmacy after the late Daniel K. Inouye. Therefore, your Committees find it highly appropriate for the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i to recognize Dr. Coleman and his legacy for future generations at the University of Hawai‘i in the same timely manner that the Board honored Daniel K. Inouye.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 108 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

________________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair