SSTI Digest

A number of bills to strengthen Hawaii's science and technology standing were passed during the final days of the legislative session. The High Technology Development Corporation has been empowered to issue $100 million in special purpose revenue bonds for the development of high-technology facilities and office space under an act Governor Ben Cayetano signed during the last week of April. Effective immediately, the act allows bond monies to be used as incentive or inducement financing to attract technology companies to the state as the interest rates on the bonds are lower than current bank loan rates. A copy of the act is available at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/hb2443_hd2_.htm Last Tuesday, the last day of the regular session for the Hawaii legislature, several additional technology bills passed. According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Governor Cayetano is expected to sign these bills as well.  Among the bills are: The New Economy Technology Scholarship Act (S.B. 2420 CD 1), a five-year pilot scholarship program for Hawaii students to pursue…

Earlier this month, Governor Ben Cayetano released The New Millenium Growth Strategy for Hawaii's Economy, an economic development plan to improve the state's performance in a knowledge-based economy. The 90-page report, penned by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, includes several new initiatives for developing and growing technology businesses as well as strengthening existing economic development efforts. The plan hopes to have "high-tech activities permeate all sectors of Hawaii's economy." As a result, separate sections are dedicated to discussing technology-based approaches to building a stronger economy through high technology, information technology, biotechnology, defense and dual-use technology, health care, resource development, environment, and tourism. The plan also identifies and addresses proposals for workforce training and infrastructure capacity needs for a technology-based economy. New initiatives in the plan include: In venture capital for high-tech, establishment of a $50 million Hawaii Technology Fund drawn from proceeds of the…

Nola Miyasaki is serving as Acting Executive Director and CEO of the Hawaii High Technology Development Corp

Joe Blanco has been appointed the Hawaii Technology Advisor.

In a move to increase Hawaii's technology standing, Governor Ben Cayetano signed legislation last week that will create several new initiatives. Most significant for S&T policy is the planned consolidation of the state's technology-related programs under a new special advisor for technology development. The specific state agencies affected by the legislation were not identified in the Technology Omnibus bill. The technology advisor is to be appointed by the Governor and has nine responsibilities outlined in the legislation which include: developing a plan to reorganize and consolidate "all state high technology agencies;" providing technical assistance and advice to private high technology businesses; coordinating the state's promotion and marketing of high technology industry; and, encouraging the development of educational, training and career programs in high tech industries. A Governor's special advisory council for technology development was also established to assist the new advisor. The council will consist of 11-25 members appointed by the…