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| Former Governor George Ariyoshi with legislators at the announcement of the Aerospace Caucus |
HAWAII AEROSPACE CAUCUS EXPLORES
THE ‘FINAL FRONTIER’
Initiatives include studies for a
space exploration R&D park, international flight training center and a
laser optical communications ground station in Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii –State Senate and House legislators today
announced the formation of the Hawaii State Legislative Aerospace Caucus.
Among the measures
it has introduced this session are bills that call for studies for a space
exploration research and development park; an international flight training center and associated aeronautical
training programs at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College;
and a laser optical communications ground station in Hawaii.
Other measures call for the banning of unmanned aircrafts, except by law enforcement
agencies, to gather information, and exempts from the general excise tax
amounts received from the construction of a space launch facility in the State
to help reduce the overall cost of such construction.
The caucus is a
joint bipartisan effort in collaboration with the private sector to develop a
strong, secure and internationally competitive aerospace sector in Hawaii. It
will be a highly visible, proactive and solution oriented organization ensuring
academia, industry and government are in step with programs and policies which
support a robust aerospace economic sector.
The caucus is
co-chaired by Senator Will Espero, Senator Glenn Wakai, Representative Angus
McKelvey and Representative Gene Ward. The legislative membership also includes
Senator Russell Ruderman and Representatives Isaac Choy, Cindy Evans, Richard
Fale, Faye Hanohano, Sharon Har, Ken Ito, Derek Kawakami, Bob McDermott, Mark
Nakashima, Calvin Say, Clift Tsuji.
“This collaborative
effort is a significant step forward in building upon the aerospace industry
that we are establishing here in Hawaii,” said Representative Angus McKelvey,
Chair of the Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee.
The group also
includes the Aerospace Advisory Committee and Starlight Reserve
Committee—advisory councils made of public and private space industry experts.
At the announcement, the founding charter members also voted to include former
Governor George Ariyoshi, a member of the Pacific International Space
Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) board and champion for aerospace growth in Hawaii, as an honorary member of
the Hawaii Legislative Aerospace Caucus.
“Hawaii can be at the forefront of this industry by ensuring
a strong, secure and viable aerospace sector,” said Senator Will Espero, Chair
of the Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee. “It
starts by bringing together community members from the education, business and
government sectors to help create good policy that will help us meet
competitive challenges to support a robust aerospace economy.”
“Nothing ignites the imagination like space. Hawaii needs to
boldly move forward into this area,” said Senator Glenn Wakai, Chair of the
Technology and Arts Committee, “There are many sectors in technology that can
be replicated in other parts of the world. When it comes to aerospace, Hawaii
is ground zero. This is an industry that cannot pick up and leave the islands.
It provides infinite economic opportunities and will ignite exploration in the
minds of our keiki.”
"Aerospace
can be a game changer for our economy,” said Representative Gene Ward. ”One of
the main purposes of the aerospace caucus will be to highlight those
opportunities and promote legislation and regulation of an enabling
environment."
The
primary purpose of the Aerospace caucus is to promote legislation that will
develop a robust, growing aerospace field in Hawaii.
