Posted on: Friday, November 19, 2004

University of Hawai'i may boost role in defense

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

The University of Hawai'i could become one of only five Navy-affiliated research centers in the nation, opening the university to $50 million or more in new government contracts, some of them for classified research.

Despite opposition from Native Hawaiian groups, the UH Board of Regents yesterday gave provisional approval for the administration to negotiate terms of a new research relationship with the Pentagon and Navy.

Defense research at UH has been a delicate subject for years. It's a sensitivity spawned largely during the Vietnam War and by Hawaiian concern over controversial military practices such as bombing on Kaho'olawe and training in Makua Valley.

In a meeting that became emotional at times, advocates told the regents that designating UH as the fifth Navy University Affiliated Research Center in the country — and the first new one in 60 years — would enhance the state's high-tech profile and establish UH as a critical component in America's defense needs.

"This will have a major impact on growing the high-tech nature of the economy," said Jim Gaines, interim vice president for research. "We do a lot of pure basic research for the Department of Defense. This will add a dimension to those programs."

But advocates for Native Hawaiian rights admonished the university to make sure it thoroughly consults with groups that could be affected, and lamented the partnership with military interests.

"Classified military research is offensive to the academic interests" of UH, said Manu Ka'iama, of the Kuali'i Council, which represents all Native Hawaiian organizations on campus with more than 100 members. "The military has done more to damage our lands than anything else, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor," she said. "Do not prostitute our home for money."

UH now receives more than $300 million annually for all research projects. Some is defense work. But in general, for security reasons, classified research performed by the university takes place off campus at such facilities as military bases or the Maui Super Computing Center.

Some military projects under way at UH involve the development of software for research on marine vehicles; an imaging system to detect and analyze airborne particles that could indicate production, testing or use of weapons of mass destruction; and underwater robotic devices that could be used to hunt mines.

Four UH Manoa faculty members are involved in classified research at other sites, but the new designation at Manoa would be a springboard for new projects. Manoa chancellor Peter Englert said UH excellence has been certified by the Navy for research in four areas — engineering, astronomy, optics and oceanography.

An applied physics laboratory would be established as the center for the new program.

William T. Bakamis, associate director of the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington, one of the four existing UARCs (the others are Johns Hopkins University, the University of Texas at Austin and Penn State University) told regents that the designation is an achievement and "an essential part of the national strategic defense."

Regents passed the proposal after Englert assured them that consultation with both the Manoa Faculty Senate and affected Native Hawaiian groups would be placed on a track parallel with contract negotiations.

Na'u Kamali'i, of Papa 'Ola Lokaha, the Native Hawaiian Healthcare System, urged UH to ensure it follows federal law and consult with affected groups.

"The history of the development of these islands may raise concerns," Englert said, "and we have to take that very seriously."

The board also vowed to take a new look at establishing a policy on classified research. Administrators have begun discussing formalizing the ban on classified research within the geographical confines of each of UH's 10 campuses.

The board required Englert to come back to them for final approval of the contract.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.