Report Title:

Appropriation for Oceanic Institute

Description:

Appropriates $10 million for grants-in-aid for projects to support the work of the Oceanic Institute.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2239

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for the oceanic institute.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes the importance of marine research in Hawaii to support the State’s efforts to diversify Hawaii’s economy. The Oceanic Institute, headquartered in Waimanalo, Hawaii, is one of the world’s premier marine research organizations. It is dedicated to the development and transfer of economical sustainable technology to increase aquatic food production while promoting the responsible use of ocean resources in Hawaii and around the world. Its activities include training in aquaculture practices for personnel from Hawaii and beyond. By providing support for the fisheries and aquaculture industry in Hawaii, and by exporting such technical knowledge, the Oceanic Institute adds to the economic vitality of the State and supports the public goal of a diversified economy.

The Oceanic Institute is Hawaii’s only private research institute specifically dedicated to advanced aquaculture and resource issues. It has been instrumental in making aquaculture Hawaii’s fastest growing agricultural segment. Hawaii’s coastal fisheries stock enhancement program has led to resurgent supplies of mullet in Hilo Bay, and moi along the windward coast of Oahu. Working with the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant College program, Oceanic Institute’s research into open-ocean cage culture has resulted in the rapid start-up of a new commercial seacage farm that aims to deliver a quarter million or more pounds of moi annually. Today, Oceanic Institute is studying important food fish and marine ornamentals, and moving into marine biotechnology, areas targeted for their potential to improve the State’s economy and reputation.

The Oceanic Institute is undertaking an expansion of its facility, the Center for Applied Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology (CAAMB), to meet the pressing need for responsible and innovative science-based development in local, national, and worldwide aquaculture and marine biotechnology. These new facilities will boost the local economy, increase interest and competence in science among Hawaii’s youth, and create a global center for Hawaii to develop, attract, and retain world-class scientific and technical talent.

Comprised of research laboratories, pilot production modules, training and education facilities, and infrastructure improvements on three different islands, the CAAMB will serve as the cooperative hub of partnerships between the Oceanic Institute, universities and research institutions, governmental agencies, and the commercial aquaculture industry.

The total cost of the expansion project is $32.1 million, of which $22.1 has been raised from government, corporate sponsors, foundations, and private contributions. However, funding is still needed to complete the following facilities:

(1) CAAMB Makapuu, Information Technology and Training Facility (ITTF) and Integrated Management Facility (IMF);

(2) CAAMB Molokai, Marine Finfish Hatchery. This project offers a unique opportunity for Oceanic Institute to work jointly with local residents to establish a working hatchery that will serve as the economic impetus for the development of an aquaculture industry on Molokai and as a driving force in the revitalization of the island’s fishponds;

(3) CAAMB Kona, Kona Research Facility. Oceanic Institute’s Kona facility will test, demonstrate, and transfer technologies developed at CAAMB Makapuu and will enable Oceanic Institute to expand its research program into marine species that thrive in colder waters. Capitalizing on the deep ocean waters available at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA), Oceanic Institute’s research into cold and deep water fish and shrimp will help boost the economy of Kona while supporting the larger effort to diversify aquaculture on the Big Island;

(4) CAAMB Hilo, Hilo Feed Mill. Located on the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Panaewa Agricultural Farm, Oceanic Institute’s aquatic feeds research and pilot feed mill addresses the national need for a pilot-scale feed mill dedicated to the production of aquatic feeds. The nation’s first-of-its-kind facility, this pilot feed mill will place Hawaii at the center of aquatic feeds research and is a capital opportunity to promote U.S. technologies to the rapidly growing Asian aquaculture industry.

The purpose of this Act is to provide the funding necessary for the Oceanic Institute to complete the expansion of the Center for Applied Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology (CAAMB) and enable the people of the State to fully benefit from the Oceanic Institute’s work to develop sustainable technologies to increase aquatic food production, while promoting the responsible use of ocean resources.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $10,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year 2002-2003 for grants-in-aid for the purpose of financing certain projects to support the work of the Oceanic Institute as described below:

(1) Information Technology

and Training Facility $  310,000

(2) Integrated Management Facility $2,439,000

(3) Molokai Hatchery $  810,000

(4) Kona Research Facility $2,360,000

(5) Hilo Feed Mill $4,081,000

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:

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