THE 2002 HAWAI'I STATE LEGISLATURE
Focus on Waikiki, UH, fuel

By Calvin K.Y. Say
House Speaker

Calvin Say

Our responsibility is great.

I challenge you to look forward into the future. If we are to realize a strong, healthy and sustainable Hawai'i, we must set the foundation now for our future.

First, we must deal with our tourism-based economy.

We must set the stage for tourism recovery by transforming our world-class, signature showpiece, Waikiki. Waikiki ... the name itself evokes images of palm trees blowing in a warm ocean breeze, alabaster sand and the crystal-blue water with its quiet gentle surf. This is the typical image of Hawai'i envisioned throughout the world.

However, the decades have not been kind to this "gateway of the Pacific. This tourist mecca has experienced haphazard growth, a deteriorating infrastructure and unforeseen commercialization to the point where it no longer represents a Hawaiian sense of place

The time has come to refocus our thinking and to polish our crown jewel of tourism. Through public and private cooperation, we need to revitalize Waikiki in a way that attracts the modern sojourner with today's conveniences, while preserving the tropical paradise which visitors crave. We need to create an inviting atmosphere to attract the local community back to experience Waikiki again. We need to restore Waikiki's grandeur.

I propose that we create a Waikiki Authority, with participation from landowners, hotels, the City and County of Honolulu, state government and tourism experts to set the course for the total redevelopment of Waikiki. We will not let Waikiki deteriorate because of conflicting jurisdictional issues. We must adopt and implement a master plan that will let Waikiki shine again.

Second, while tourism is our major economic engines, we must look at other options to diversify our economy. We must position ourselves at the forefront in developing new, clean industries. Research and development are the keys to our economic future.

To develop new industries, we must tap the resources at the University of Hawai'i. Unfortunately, the University is currently unable to reach its full potential in developing these new technologies because it has outgrown the limited land space available at its main campus. We must increase the capacity of the University to meet the changing needs of out state. I propose that we consider expanding UH-Manoa into areas makai of the H-1 Freeway.

The current tenants must be part of our planning process. It is not my intent to displace these businesses, but to incorporate them in expansion efforts to make the university a viable college town. Imagine privately build and operated student housing facilities. Imagine renovated and new stores and restaurants. Imagine students, faculty and old-time residents integrated in a vibrant, revitalized Mo'ili'ili.

Third, I propose that we establish a Hydrogen Energy Authority at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.

Hawai'i is the most oil-dependent state in the nation, with petroleum supplying ninety percent of our energy. Without an indigenous, dependable and economical energy source, we will always be at the mercy of forces we have no control over.

There is no reason we should be in this vulnerable position when we have the unique solar, wind, ocean and geothermal resources needed to create a hydrogen fuel-based economy. The U.S. Department of Energy already recognizes the university as a "center for excellence in hydrogen research." The geothermal wells on the Big Island await their incorporation into the hydrogen economy to produce clean economical energy. Recently, the Hawai'i Fuel Cell Test Facility was established in Hawai'i, with $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Defense.

This Hydrogen Energy Authority will facilitate research, development and commercialization of hydrogen fuel technology. This will enable Hawai'i to be the centerpiece of hydrogen fuel development in the Pacific Rim, if not globally.

The hydrogen economy in Hawai'i is more than a challenge. It is an opportunity. We have the renewable resources and the technical expertise to show the nation the way to the hydrogen economy of the 21st Century. The rewards will be many. Not only will Hawai'i be freed from its dependence on fossil fuel, but the money previously exported to pay for fossil fuel, will be kept in the state and used by consumers and businesses to generate more employment in Hawai'i.

Finally, I propose the development of a Pacific Center for Ecosystem Sciences to be build at the old Paradise Park site. Last fall, in the shadow of Sept. 11, Hawai'i faced its own terrorist attack when the dengue fever virus broke out in the islands. Like human terrorism, the dengue outbreak has shown us that we must be more vigilant to keep dengue and other diseases away from our shores. We must ensure that invasive alien plants do not interfere with our water supply; that alien insects and animals do not destroy crops or native ecosystems; and that introduced diseases do not threaten Hawai'i's people and native species.

Hawai'i has extensive scientific expertise in various areas to deal with these problems, but these resources are poorly coordinated and at time redundant. The Pacific Center for Ecosystem Sciences will consolidate state, private, university and federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a new world-class research center. This center will serve as a catalyst for the stewardship of Hawai'i's natural resources, as well as a source for expertise and scientific interchange throughout the Pacific Islands.

For some, what happened on Sept. 11 looked like the end of our way of life. But what sometimes appears to be the end is really a new beginning.

There are many lessons from 9-11, but the most important is that together we can overcome any adversity. What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are small matters compared to what lies within all of us. In these trying times, there is no incentive so great as the hope for a better tomorrow.

This I pledge to the people of Hawai'i: We will not falter and we will not fail. Hawai'i will get through this crisis. Just as we have done many times in the past, we will stare down adversity and emerge even stronger.