A state Senate special investigative committee will hold a public hearing next Thursday regarding the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's award of a contract to H2 Energy LLC to manage an $8.7-million technology investment fund.

In September, the State Procurement Office ruled that DBEDT erred when it awarded management of the fund to third-ranked bidder H2 Energy LLC. The office said the management contract should have gone to the highest-ranked proposal.

The fund was created by lawmakers in 2006 to help finance companies working to develop hydrogen fuel from renewable resources like wind and water.

The committee will hear from Eileen Harada, DBEDT contacts officer, Ken Kitamura, DBEDT administrative service officer, and Dawn Okuhama, the director's private secretary.

No public testimony will be accepted.

The hearing will be broadcast live at 3 p.m. on O'ahu on Channel 49 (FOCUS) and live to the Neighbor Islands via HITS.