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| South Point Pali dropping off onto the west side of Ka Lae. South Point has long been considered a candidate for space launches. Photo by European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli |
Testimony from OisinGroup, LLC mentioned the Big Island specifically. Its testimony touts Launch for Future (also called L4F) and “establishment of the world’s most modern, green and technologically advanced space launch complex and space operations center on the Big Island of Hawai`i.”
The testimony was given by its principal Fred Eissler, a graduate of U.S. Naval Academy and vice president of Kama Kekoa, a defense contractor for Yorktown Naval Weapons Station and for Navy integrated warfare and nuclear engineering programs. Eissler states that the space launch facility “will be powered by the latest green technology and will incorporate the most innovative, cost effective, and proven engineering practices, while maintaining and enhancing Hawai`i’s pristine environment and ecosystem. This space launch capability will provide long-term technology-based economic growth to Hawai`i, enhance capitalism in innovative technologies, grow local businesses, support development of environmentally friendly infrastructure, enhance technology-intensive education and expand employment opportunity in Hawai`i.”
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| A federal study could weigh spaceport options for the Big Island. Image from spaceports.blogspot.com |
The testimony also contends that during the last 50 years, three studies on space launch capability in Hawai`i “did not focus on Commercial/Government partnership for finance and incorporation or the use of green technologies as the centerpiece for building the support infrastructure.
“Now is the right time for this study!” proclaims the OlsinGroup,LLC. “Our partnership and the people of this great state make an environmentally responsible and technologically feasible space launch capability in Hawai`i achievable.”
“Now is the right time for this study!” proclaims the OlsinGroup,LLC. “Our partnership and the people of this great state make an environmentally responsible and technologically feasible space launch capability in Hawai`i achievable.”
The testimony compares the Big Island site to Orlando, Florida, saying: “Orlando tourist locations during any given launch week saw a 50 percent increase in patronage than those weeks without launches…. L4F will provide jobs, economic growth, science and innovation to improve the lives of all Americans.”
The testimony states that a launch facility “will provide job growth that will increase the tax base for the state and federal government.”
The testimony contends that previous studies for space launch facilities on the Big Island (when both lands makai of Pahala and around South Point were considered) “lacked the following: A detailed economic plan; a detailed plan for unobtrusive construction execution; a plan to create and execute affordability in a private-public financing approach; a plan that addressed the desires of all stakeholders’ and a sense of urgency to link the plan to immediate needs and opportunities.”
The testimony states that a launch facility “will provide job growth that will increase the tax base for the state and federal government.”
The testimony contends that previous studies for space launch facilities on the Big Island (when both lands makai of Pahala and around South Point were considered) “lacked the following: A detailed economic plan; a detailed plan for unobtrusive construction execution; a plan to create and execute affordability in a private-public financing approach; a plan that addressed the desires of all stakeholders’ and a sense of urgency to link the plan to immediate needs and opportunities.”
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| Gov. George Ariyoshi |
In his testimony, former governor George Ariyoshi says, “Hawai`i’s strategic mid-Pacific/near-equatorial location, resident expertise in multiple aerospace-related technologies, and long-standing ties with space-faring nations throughout Asia and the Pacific, clearly afford strategic assets and capabilities that can be leveraged to realize humankind’s full potential in space, and in so doing enable our state to engage as both a major contributor to and beneficiary of the global space enterprise.
“In particular, these factors collectively make Hawai`i an ideal location to support commercial space launch operations to both the equatorial and polar orbits, and to do so in a manner that will enable safer and more cost-effective launch operations in comparison with other launch sites on the U.S. Mainland.”
Ariyoshi testifies that the study would evaluate “both the economic viability and long-term benefits of establishing a commercial space launch and control facility in Hawai`i.”
The former governor puts forth: “Even more importantly, this analysis will assess the ability to conduct commercial launch operation in ways that are both sensitive and responsive to our state’s priorities for local economic development and technology-based education, as well as local cultural and environmental concerns.”
The state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism testifies that the resolution “builds upon Hawai`i’s strategic mid-Pacific, near-equatorial location, advanced telecommunications and IT infrastructure, resident expertise in aerospace technology, and other assets and capabilities that make our State an optimal location to support commercial space launch activities. Such operations would not only advance our nation’s aerospace industry, but also expand local transportation and communications infrastructure while providing new technology-based training and employment opportunities to help diversify our economic base.
“In addition, the proposed feasibility study would engage Hawai`i residents and be conducted in a manner that would ensure the proposed launch facility and operations would be responsive to local development needs as well as cultural and environmental concerns.
A companion resolution in the state Senate has been introduced with no testimony introduced or hearing set. One of the authors is Sen. Gil Kahele.
Read both proposed resolutions and submit testimony at capitol.hawaii.gov.
“In particular, these factors collectively make Hawai`i an ideal location to support commercial space launch operations to both the equatorial and polar orbits, and to do so in a manner that will enable safer and more cost-effective launch operations in comparison with other launch sites on the U.S. Mainland.”
Ariyoshi testifies that the study would evaluate “both the economic viability and long-term benefits of establishing a commercial space launch and control facility in Hawai`i.”
The former governor puts forth: “Even more importantly, this analysis will assess the ability to conduct commercial launch operation in ways that are both sensitive and responsive to our state’s priorities for local economic development and technology-based education, as well as local cultural and environmental concerns.”
The state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism testifies that the resolution “builds upon Hawai`i’s strategic mid-Pacific, near-equatorial location, advanced telecommunications and IT infrastructure, resident expertise in aerospace technology, and other assets and capabilities that make our State an optimal location to support commercial space launch activities. Such operations would not only advance our nation’s aerospace industry, but also expand local transportation and communications infrastructure while providing new technology-based training and employment opportunities to help diversify our economic base.
“In addition, the proposed feasibility study would engage Hawai`i residents and be conducted in a manner that would ensure the proposed launch facility and operations would be responsive to local development needs as well as cultural and environmental concerns.
A companion resolution in the state Senate has been introduced with no testimony introduced or hearing set. One of the authors is Sen. Gil Kahele.
Read both proposed resolutions and submit testimony at capitol.hawaii.gov.
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| Iwao Yonemitsu, left, and Tokuichi Nakano, veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, with Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
HAWAI`I STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES’ Economic Development Committee has rejected a resolution asking the state to study potential social and economic effects of gambling in the state. Rep. Clift Tsuji said the proposal was rejected because it would be too expensive.
East Ka`u’s Rep. Richard Onishi aligned with new Speaker of House Joe Souki in supporting some form of gambling. Onishi suggested that shipboard gambling would have less risk to the poor than putting gambling casinos on land in Hawai`i.
Hawai`i and Utah are the only states without gambling.
KA`U RESIDENT TOKUICHI NAKANO, a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of WWII, is attending events on O`ahu commemorating the team’s 70th anniversary. When the War Department called for volunteers for the Japanese-American combat unit, more than 12,000 signed up. The 442nd is recognized by the Army as having the most combat awards for a unit of its size.
Events include a remembrance service, a tour of the U.S. Army Museum, a luncheon and a screening of the documentary Valor with Honor.
On Monday, the state Senate and House of Representatives will honor the veterans at the State Capitol.
East Ka`u’s Rep. Richard Onishi aligned with new Speaker of House Joe Souki in supporting some form of gambling. Onishi suggested that shipboard gambling would have less risk to the poor than putting gambling casinos on land in Hawai`i.
Hawai`i and Utah are the only states without gambling.
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| Howard Shapiro, of Volcano, hands over $1000 to Recycle Bowl winner. |
Events include a remembrance service, a tour of the U.S. Army Museum, a luncheon and a screening of the documentary Valor with Honor.
On Monday, the state Senate and House of Representatives will honor the veterans at the State Capitol.
KA`U SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO FORM environmental clubs and enter next year’s Recycle Bowl competition presented by Keep Hawai`i Beautiful. The organization recently announced Konawaena High School as the $1,0000 winner of its 2013 Recycle Bowl. Students were congratulated by Volcano resident Howard Shapiro, education director for Recycle Hawai`i. “By your efforts you’ve helped save energy, saved money for your families, school and community and made a statement that you care for the environment. You’ve also learned that we can create products from what we used to think of as trash,” Shapiro said.
Keep America Beautiful, a nonprofit organization focusing on building and sustaining vibrant communities, recently held the nationwide Recycle Bowl competition for elementary, middle and high school students. The Recycle Bowl Competition reached more than a million students across America with schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia competing.
The president of Keep Hawai`i Beautiful, Paul J. Burklarewicz, also acknowledged environmental clubs from Konawaena and Pahoa high schools. “Keep Hawai`i Beautiful is pleased that environmental clubs from Konawaena and Pahoa high schools helped their schools become state champs for two years running,” he said.
Information is available at recycle-bowl.org.
The president of Keep Hawai`i Beautiful, Paul J. Burklarewicz, also acknowledged environmental clubs from Konawaena and Pahoa high schools. “Keep Hawai`i Beautiful is pleased that environmental clubs from Konawaena and Pahoa high schools helped their schools become state champs for two years running,” he said.
Information is available at recycle-bowl.org.
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| Two by Tenn with Tea, a performance of two one-act plays by Tennessee Williams directed by Julie Dobbs, takes place tomorrow at Pahala Plantation House. |
TWO BY TENN WITH TEA, a performance of two of Tennessee Williams’ one-act plays, takes place tomorrow at Pahala Plantation House. Dick Hershberger and Arlene Araki perform in Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen and I Can’t Imagine Tomorrow, directed by University of Hawai`i-Hilo drama department senior Julie Dobbs. The plays begin at 3 p.m. Tea and cookies will be served, and a potluck dinner follows.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.