THINK Fund: Multi-Million Dollar Community Benefit Package Focus on Education

Hilo, HI—The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) has formed an organizing body to help establish the framework and governance for The Hawaii Island New Knowledge (THINK) Fund that will guide the Thirty Meter Telescope’s (TMT) community benefit package should they decide to pick Mauna Kea as their telescope site.

“TMT stated their intention early on to start a new paradigm. We took them at their word and we’ve been cultivating the proposed THINK Fund to foster excellence in learning and to raise the island’s intellectual capital. Should TMT choose Mauna Kea to site their telescope, we estimate the THINK Fund would receive approximately $1 million per year for the life of the lease for educational initiatives on Hawaii Island. The THINK Fund will be overseen here on Hawaii Island with decisions made by Hawaii Island residents,” stated community advocate and tomato farmer Richard Ha. “We believe our kuleana for the children of this island is to reach for the stars.”

Members of HIEDB’s organizing body include Richard Ha, Bob Saunders, Roberta Chu, Duane Kanuha, Riley Smith, John DeFries, Jacqui Hoover and Skylark Rossetti. HIEDB’s organizing body is developing THINK’s structure, governance and mission.

THINK Mission

The THINK Fund mission is to foster excellence in learning for all students of Hawaii Island through public and private fundraising and the establishment of a permanent endowment through the Hawaii Community Foundation. THINK will serve as the nucleus for attracting, gathering together, and then redistributing private and public sector resources in support of educational initiatives. THINK endeavors to advance academic, physical, emotional and social progress for students. THINK is committed to self-directed, lifelong Hawaii Island learners who think critically and creatively, and function as caring, responsible, productive members of society.

THINK Vision

The THINK vision is to raise the intellectual capital of Hawaii Island by enriching the education of students, particularly in core areas of math and science. By raising public and private support, THINK can fund requests from teachers, students and community organizations for the sole purpose of enhancing and strengthening the learning experience within the community.

THINK Purpose

THINK will support teachers, students and community organizations of Hawaii Island in preparing the next generation of community leaders.

Guiding Principles

Seventy-five percent of THINK will be directed to yearly programming with the remaining twenty-five percent adding to endowment. THINK’s funding initiatives will focus on K-12 and college through:

• Scholarships and mini-grants (teachers and students)

• Educational programs (teachers and students)

• College awards (students)

• Educational programs specific to Hawaiian culture

• Educational programs specific to astronomy

• Educational programs specific to math and science

• Community outreach

Consideration is underway on the methodology of segmenting funds by program category. Funds will be directed to residents of Hawaii Island only.

The HIEDB organizing body will select the founding Board of Advisors for THINK. The seven-member board will be comprised of one representative each from Hilo, Keaukaha/Panaewa/Puna, Kau, Kona, Kohala, Waimea and an at-large HIEDB seat.

Next steps include collaboration with the Hawaii Community Foundation to develop the Board of Advisors Core Competencies, Fund Responsibilities Document, policies to define each distribution area and its parameters along with the application process.

The Thirty Meter Telescope is in its Draft Environmental Impact Statement process with a decision on site selection due this summer.

About HIEDB

Hawaii Island Economic Development Board was founded 25 years ago as a private non-profit corporation for the purpose of furthering balanced economic development and job creation on the Island of Hawaii in partnership with Federal, State, County and private resources.

About TMT

The Thirty Meter Telescope will give astronomers the clearest and deepest picture of the Universe ever. TMT will be the most capable and sophisticated telescope ever constructed. The core technology of TMT will be its 492-segment, 30-meter diameter primary mirror giving TMT nine times the collecting area of today’s largest optical telescopes. First light is planned for 2018.

Bob King of Pacific Diesel in 4-10 minute video sections.




This last one is only a few minutes long…

As 2008 draws to a close, we look forward to 2009 and celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB).  Moving towards this important benchmark date, we all find ourselves facing challenging economic times and extend a sincere mahalo for your membership and the important role you play in supporting balanced economic growth and success for the residents of and visitors to, Hawai`i Island.

HIEDB is also undergoing challenges and responding to the times. There have been several changes in our governance and management that we wanted to bring to your attention.

Subsequent to our general membership meeting in October, Richard Ha informed the board that in order to devote more attention to his business he needed to resign as Chairman of HIEDB. The nominating committee met and after polling the board recommended me to chair the current year through 2009 and Roberta Chu to chair 2010. These two recommendations will be presented for formal approval at our January membership meeting.

At the same time, after successfully leading HIEDB since early 2005, we bid aloha and best wishes to Mark McGuffie who decided for personal reasons to relocate to Oahu. Mark’s departure prompted the board to form a transition committee tasked with finding a replacement Executive Director.

In December the board accepted the committee’s recommendation to hire Jacqui Hoover as our new Executive Director effective December 17^th. HIEDB hired Jacqui on a less than full time basis in part to reduce our administrative costs and become more efficient. Equally important, this arrangement also allows Jacqui to simultaneously continue in her capacity as President of Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference (HLPC).

Our goal is to meet these challenging times by focusing on specific economic initiatives.   We have been laying the groundwork to do so by revisiting and strengthening our core competencies, and our commitment to HIEDB’s mission to provide and promote private sector support and expertise for balanced growth in Hawai`i County in partnership with Federal, State, County and private resources.

In January 2009, the HIEDB Board and Staff will conduct a day-long strategic planning session to identify and consider advocacy, education, outreach, funding, collaborative and other opportunities for implementation towards achieving our objectives.  These strategies will be discussed and your insights sought at our HIEDB General Membership meeting later in the month.

Your membership and commitment to HIEDB are greatly appreciated.  We are honing our focus on ways to maximize resources and ensure a long term relationship that is mutually beneficial to HIEDB and our members.  Watch for enhanced and improved communications including a more interactive website that will include a members’ only section.  In the meantime, we wish you a very successful and Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Bob Saunders

Interim Chairman

For Immediate Release

Ala Mauna - Saddle Road Dedication

Mile Post 19 - 28

Hilo, Hawaii - Members of the Saddle Road Task Force, a citizen advisory group, federal, state and county government officials, and island residents will gather on Thursday, December 11, 2008 to dedicate the next segment of Saddle Road.

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye will deliver the keynote address with remarks by Federal Highway Administration, Rick Suarez, Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi and Walter Kunitake of the Saddle Road Task Force. This is phase two of the newly aligned Ala Mauna Saddle Road and now completes roughly 17 miles of the East - West connector for Hawaii Island.

“On Thursday we will be delighted to see the next phase of this important highway completed and is the results of many years of meaningful work on this project,” said Walter Kunitake, co-chair of the Saddle Road Task Force. We’d like to thank Senator Dan Inouye for his tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of Hawaii County.”

Saddle Road Construction Project

Ala Mauna - Saddle Road, the most direct route between the east and west sides of the island, is the shortest route, yet carries one of the highest accident rates of any road of its classification in Hawai‘i. The Saddle Road improvement project will make the road safer and easier to use by eliminating narrow lanes, limited lines of sight, numerous roadside hazards such as bridge parapets, rough road edges, and limited drainage during rain storms and military vehicles frequently crossing the road as it passes through the Pohakuloa Training Area.

Ala Mauna Saddle Road History and Use

Ala Mauna, the traditional name for this early transportation route, served native uses of the Humu‘ula area of Hawai‘i island including bird catching and adze quarrying. They were replaced by sandalwood harvesting and hunting wild cattle, and ultimately by ranching and astronomy. Over time, travelers whose only choice was once ancient footpaths, shifted to horses and wagons, then to automobiles. Roadways were improved and travel time shortened.

In 1943, the original Saddle Road was built as a gravel roadway first constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the US Army Corps of Engineers for access to the island’s interior in the event of a Japanese invasion during World War II. Then in 1949 the Saddle Road was completed as a paved road.

What began as a military access road has since become an important cross-island link between East and West Hawaii. Saddle Road also provides the only paved access to Mauna Kea Science Reserve International Observatory Complex, Pohakuloa Training Area Base, Mauna Kea State Park as well as access to public lands and forest areas for hunting, gathering and ranching.

Construction funding for the Saddle Road improvement project is being made available from several sources: U.S. Department of the Army, Defense Access Road Program and Ecosystem Management Program, U.S. Congress, and Hawaii Department of Transportation. Construction of the remainder of the Saddle Road project will be phased as funds become available.

For more information contact Skylark Rossetti at (808) 935-2180.

This Conference offers an opportunity for Hawai‘i to explore future planning issues and opportunities to our islands waste stream and how adoption of renewable energy applications can impact our overall sustainability.

Zero Waste is a philosophy that aims to guide people in the redesign of their resource-use system with the aim of reducing waste to zero.

Our Special guest speakers of international acclaim include:

• Gunter Pauli - Founder and director Zero Emissions Research Institute and world renowned sustainability educator
• Gary Liss - Gary Liss & Associates Zero Waste Community Planner
• Richard Anthony - Richard Anthony & Associates - Draft Zero Waste Planner for Hawai’i Island
  
• Patrick Hayes - Oakland CA specializes in Construction and Demolition with reuse outcomes

We have asked experts in the energy field to join us on a panel to discuss “Renewable Energy”. We will assemble a panel to address “Sustaining our Island’s Environment” and a panel to draft the Zero Waste Plan to improve Hawaii’s future.

Please save this date and register by calling Madeline at (808) 935-2180. We look forward to seeing you, at the “Zero Waste” conference at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows in September.

U.S. Department of Energy and State of Hawaii Sign Agreement to Increase Clean Energy Technologies in Hawaii.

For more information about the MOU click on this link: http://www.eere.energy.gov/pdfs/hawaii_mou.pdf

Last year, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) was asked to continue the momentum of this successful pilot program with the role of expanding it island-wide. In 2007, 31 students participated with 23 organizations.

HIEDB working with its partners at the State Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations-Workforce Development Division, and the Makana Mentor Network at Hawaiʻi Community College (HCC) is looking to expand yet again, thus far in 2008, 83 students have enrolled together with nearly 30 organizations.

Recruitment is underway for Island businesses who would like to get involved in the Huiana Internship Program. “Huiana” means “the act of coming together,” and program leaders are seeking as broad a representation of Island businesses as possible. Businesses that sponsor an intern will receive hands-on training in how to be a successful mentor from the HCC Makana Mentor Network. Student interns enrolled in the program will receive school credit. Participating students must be juniors or seniors in high school.

GET INVOLVED - Help our island communities future by supporting Huiana

For more information please contact Paula Thomas at (808) 443-3032 or paulat at hiedb.org

Selected contractors on Hawaii Island have been invited to participate as a Task Force to assist us with designing the flow of product from their job sites to the reuse store.

For more information or to get involved, contact Skylark Rossetti @ (808) 935-2180.

David Yogi, 415-972-3653, yogi.david@epa.gov

EPA grants $492,600 to Hawaii Island Economic Development Board for reuse and recycling projects

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded a $492,600 grant to the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board to expand existing recycling and reuse projects on Hawaii Island.

“The management of solid waste is especially critical to an island state such as Hawaii,” said Steven Barhite, acting director of the waste management division for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region, “This new grant will build on the success of previous efforts and extend current programs—playing an essential role in reducing the amount of solid waste that goes to the landfills on Hawaii Island.”

The project establishes a model for renewable resource management on the island. This grant upgrades a solid waste transfer station into a community recycling center to divert resources from solid waste disposal. The effort will develop innovative solutions for collecting, reusing, and recycling products. In addition, educational outreach and results will be measured and reported.

The goals of the project are to:

• stimulate on-island reuse, composting, and recycling;
• create jobs and income for island residents;
• comply with the state’s waste management goals;
• reduce the county’s overall solid waste management costs; and
• create partnerships with businesses to increase the amount of recovered materials.

The current grant builds on successful efforts to improve reuse and recycling in West Hawaii and at Keaau in East Hawaii.

To date, the centers have recycled or mulched nearly 1,300 tons of resources and made possible the reuse of 122 tons of resources. The effort has conserved over 28,000 million BTUs of energy – the equivalent of removing 415 cars from the road each year or not using 226,000 gallons of gasoline each year. Hawaii Island has achieved a 69 percent recycling rate for beverage containers, the highest in the state.

Both locations recycle aluminum, office paper, magazines, plastics, cardboard, mixed paper, inkjet and toner cartridges, newspaper, #1 and #2 plastics and glass. The West Hawaii location also houses a redemption center for the implementation of the state bottle bill.

The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board and County of Hawaii have received more than $1.5 million in four EPA Congressional appropriation grants to develop model reuse and recycling capacity to serve the island’s rural communities.

# # #

NEW SPRAYERS ARRIVE FOR COMMUNITY SPRAYER LOAN PROGRAM

October 5, 2007

Contact Form: Skylark Rossetti

Hawaii Island Economic Development Board

sky at hiedb.org (808) 935-2180

HILO, Hawaii- The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board has taken delivery of four new 200-gallon trailer tank sprayers to be used in the fight against Coqui frogs. The four sprayers will be added to the existing twenty-eight sprayers in the Community Sprayer Loan Program owned by the County of Hawaii, USDA and the State Department of Agriculture. The sprayers are staged island-wide and are loaned free of charge to community members to fight Coqui frogs. The trailer tank sprayers are well suited for the spraying of citric acid for frog control.To make a reservation for a sprayer, call the USDA-Wildlife Services at 933-6955. Ask about free citric acid when making your reservation. The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board Coqui Project is funded by a grant from the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR).

…solid waste going into its landfills. The grant to the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced Thursday, will…

July 19, 2007

Hawaii takes one small step into aerospace

…Astronomy Center in Hilo. Mark McGuffie, executive director of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, said the program complements Lingle’s recent push to make…

by Chad Blair on June 8, 2007

The Women in Technology Program (WIT) is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor to address under-representation of women in technology fields. The Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., in partnership with Hawaii Island and Kauai Economic Development Boards has taken on the project.

Among WIT¹s successes are programs in place and under development throughout the island to generate interest in STEM fields at a time when students are beginning to think seriously about future careers. As an example, the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) is working directly with the Department of Education in helping fund programs such as Botball Robotics. Funds are being provided this year to Hilo and Waimea Middle Schools and Waiakea and Honokaa High Schools.

At Keaau High School, funds are being provided for a facilitator and four students to travel to an EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) conference in Arkansas. In Kona, plans are underway to host a Big Island robotics competition in April 2006. Partners helping to make the competition a reality include WIT, MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education Center), Verizon Foundation and County of Hawaii, Research & Development.

Following a successful internship this past year at Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center, an additional program is now being developed. Research is underway to expand upon the success of the pilot high school mentoring program that was offered by Hawaiian Electric Light Company (HELCO) last summer. It is hoped that more businesses will see the value of such mentoring programs and agree to participate.

Through WIT, financial support was provided for a pilot Hawaii Island based two-year accredited Associate of Science Degree Program offered by Kapiolani Community College in partnership with Hawaii Community College. HCC formed a partnership with KCC to deliver a radiological technology program as an outreach program that has just ended its two-year pilot.

WIT also gave support to an HCC pilot program to better prepare individuals to qualify to apply for Police and Fire Radio Dispatcher positions for Hawaii County Police and Fire Departments. Other Workforce Development initiatives include Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists Recording Engineer/Mentor Program, on-site Technology Employer Internships, and a Science Exhibit entitled “Hawaii Island Get Real Science.”

WIT¹s objectives are challenging. One objective is to study and promote overall economic development of Hawaii¹s technology industry and business climate and increase by at least five percent annually the number of women majoring in sciences, technology, engineering or math. Another objective is to create a pipeline from education to employment by creating partnerships between educators and businesses. The Marine Advanced Training Education program in place at Kealakehe High School is an example of one such partnership with nearly two-dozen additional schools expected to participate soon. EAST - Environmental and Spatial Technology - is another partnership example with labs in place in selected schools here, on Maui and on Kauai.

WIT seeks to determine and eliminate barriers that have precluded women from entering technology fields. By preparing women for much higher paying technology jobs WIT aims to improve the overall economic quality of life for women. To encourage and support women at the college level, MentorNet is a program in place at both Hawaii Community College and the University of Hawaii at Hilo that pairs STEM majors, at no cost, with a mentor in the field utilizing e-mail.

A final objective assists women engaged in internship, apprenticeship and mentoring programs with everything from childcare support to computer equipment. This broad-ranging objective places HIEDB as a resource for policy makers, educators and employers. Presentation of research, best practices results, workshops and conferences in partnership with the State Department of Education and State Department of Labor help to create a strong foundation for WIT programs.

Businesses of any size that may have STEM related internships available or employers wishing to learn more about Women in Technology and its programs are encouraged to contact HIEDB at 935-2180 for participation opportunities.

Focus on the Economy is written for Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, Warren Lee, chair / Mark McGuffie, executive director. Readers with comments, questions or suggestions should visit www.hiedb.org, e-mail info@hiedb.org or call HIEDB 935-2180. An archive of Focus on the Economy columns is available on the web site.