STAND. COM. REP. NO. 212

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1510

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1510 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ASTRONOMY ENGINEERING AND INSTRUMENTATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a center for design, development, and

fabrication of astronomical instruments within the University of Hawaii; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the center's planning and design

and ten full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) faculty positions within the center.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Office of the Mayor for the County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Science and Technology Museum, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Maunakea Observatories, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u, The Success Factory, and six individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that Hawaii has a well-deserved reputation for astronomical excellence, as astronomy contributes over $200,000,000 annually into Hawaii's economy. However, despite these facts, most of the current technology development and fabrication needed to support the astronomical facilities on the islands of Hawaii and Maui occur outside of the State. Additionally, within the State's astronomy engineering and technical workforce, only thirty percent are born and raised in Hawaii.

Your Committees further find that, due to the State's need for a stronger network of local engineers in Hawaii's astronomical settings, the establishment and funding of a center dedicated to expanding Hawaii's space and engineering field is essential for the sustainability of astronomy in the State. Your Committees also recognize that the University of Hawaii is the State's sole institution of public higher education and has the capacity to serve as the hub for Hawaii astronomy engineering and instrument development. Therefore, in order to encourage the youth of Hawaii to pursue careers in astronomy, this measure will appropriate funds toward a center focused on design, development, and fabrication of astronomical instruments within the University of Hawaii, including the funding for ten full-time equivalent faculty positions.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1510 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair