Oceanit launches Maui optics center

In a hopeful sign for those seeking a more diversified economy in Hawai'i, two high-tech companies are separately launching new ventures this week. Oceanit is starting an optics project at the Maui Research & Technology Center in Kihei.

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dan O'Connell, a senior optical engineer for Mosaic, works on a mirror that will be used on a telescope. Christie Wilson • The Honolulu Advertiser Mosaic Maui Optical Systems and Imaging Center Address: 590 Lipoa Parkway, Kihei, Maui Employees: 6 Description: Makes lenses, mirrors and other optical parts, and designs optical systems

Oceanit spent about $500,000 to open Mosaic yesterday at the Maui Research & Technology Center. The facility, which makes lenses, mirrors and other optical and laser parts, grew out of Oceanit space surveillance work done for the Air Force and Boeing Co.

Ian Kitajima, marketing manager for Oceanit, said the idea behind Mosaic was to take experience gained from building its own optics and turn it into a separate business that could meet the needs of not only astronomy but also the defense and technology industries among others.

"There's a lot of things this new type of facility can do," Kitajima said.

Mosaic has partnered with Tucson Optical Research Corp. for support and with Maui Community College and the University of California at Santa Cruz to offer courses on Maui to help train workers for the optics industry.

Kitajima says the jobs are high skill and high wage.

"It's definitely a skilled type of activity," he said.

Though several Mosaic employees were drawn from Oceanit's space systems group, which also is located at the Maui Research & Technology Center, the two businesses will remain separate. Overall Oceanit employs about 100 people statewide — a figure Kitajima said would likely increase by about 10 people this year.

Among Mosaic's customers is Boeing LPS, a part of the giant aircraft builder. Boeing LPS has a field research facility at the summit of Haleakala. Working with a nearby company rather than one on the Mainland improves collaboration and reduces waiting time, said Riki Maeda, research and development manager for Boeing's lab in Kihei.

"We've always had to go to the Mainland for optic components and optic subsystems and that has gone on for decades," he said. "They've set up a high-tech facility that is capable of creating state-of-the-art optical components."