Posted on: Tuesday, November 27, 2001

Keahole industry proposals requested

Advertiser Staff

KEAHOLE, Hawai'i — The National Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i has issued a call for proposals to establish a commercial centerpiece for a new 547-acre industrial park.

The park will be served by a $21.5 million pipeline due to be finished in July. The 2-mile-long pipeline will provide 27,000 gallons per minute of cold seawater to aquaculture enterprises and for air conditioning.

About 75 acres of the industrial park, south of the Kona airport, between the existing research area and Queen Ka'ahumanu State Highway, will be dedicated to commercial ventures.

Jan. 2 is the deadline for centerpiece proposals, with review and selection set for March 15.

The National Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i began in 1974 as an alternative energy project, but quickly converted to a research-and-development center for sea farming. The park has 26 tenants, ranging from abalone, lobster, shrimp and oyster farming operations to growers of cold-climate fruits and vegetables.