Testimony Presented Before the
Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs
January 30, 2014 at 3:45 p.m.
by
Donald O. Straney
Chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
SB 2583 – RELATING TO THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SPACE CENTER FOR EXPLORATION SYSTEMS AND NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION LASER COMMUNICATIONS GROUND STATION INITIATIVE
Chair Espero, Vice Chair Baker and Members of the Committee:
My name is Donald Straney, Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UH Hilo). We support the intent of SB 2583 to fund the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) to conduct an engineering assessment for a proposed laser optical communications ground station in Hawaiʻi in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). We would hope this engineering study is conducted in conjunction with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering.
This proposal will help to stimulate the growth of our State economy through the development of new innovative technologies that support the creation of high-tech jobs as well as improvements in broadband and optical fiber infrastructure statewide. 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 SB 2583 provided its passage does not replace or adversely impact priorities in our BOR approved budget.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on SB 2583. Aloha.
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Chancellor’s testimony on this topic to Senate and House committees:
| SB 2583 | RELATING TO THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SPACE CENTER FOR EXPLORATION SYSTEMS AND NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION LASER COMMUNICATIONS GROUND STATION INITIATIVE | January 30, 2014 |
| SB 2583 SD1 | March 14, 2014 |
| HB 2151 | RELATING TO THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SPACE CENTER FOR EXPLORATION SYSTEMS AND NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION LASER COMMUNICATIONS GROUND STATION INITIATIVE | February 4, 2014 |