Testimony Presented Before the
House Committee on Higher Education
and the
House Committee on Economic Development and Business
February 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
by
Donald O. Straney, Ph.D.
Chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
HB1419 RELATING TO THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SPACE CENTER FOR EXPLORATION SYSTEMS
Chairs Choy and Tsuji, Vice Chairs Ichiyama and Ward and Members of the Committees:
My name is Donald Straney, Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UHH). We support the intent of HB1419 to fund the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) to manage and facilitate its work to expand and diversify technology-based enterprises and education in Hawaiʻi.
This proposal will help to stimulate the growth of our State economy through aerospace research, the development, testing and evaluation of new technologies that support the exploration of space and the creation of new careers. UH Hilo views the proposal as an opportunity to collaborate with PISCES to provide higher education and career options to the people of our Hawaiʻi Island.
We support HB1419 provided that its passage does not replace or adversely impact priorities in our BOR approved budget.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on HB1419. Aloha.
This testimony also given to the House Committee on Finance, Feb. 21. pdf