HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EDC 007 06/25/1985 1984-1988 a4 � Am
. REPORT OF THE
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COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Date: June 25 , 1985
Place: Councilroom
Time: 2:30 p. m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Economic Development to which was referred
Resolution 66-85 reports as follows:
The purpose of Resolution 66-85 is to request the University of
Hawaii to actively pursue the development of undergraduate and
graduate degree programs such as astronomy, meteorology, tropical
agriculture, geo-sciences , marine science , and renewable energies at
the University of Hawaii at Hilo. It further requests that the
University of Hawaii involve the scientific community on the Island
of Hawaii in this effort.
Your Committee heard testimony from Dr . William Carse, President of
the Scientific Coordinating Committee for the Pacific, and
Professor Emeritus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Speaking in
support of the resolution, Dr. Carse said that his organization had
the development of the research activities and educational programs
of the University of Hawaii at Hilo as one of its main objectives .
He said the resolution accurately points out the island 's special
research potential , and asks support of the University of Hawaii , as
the major educational institution, to help make full use of these
research resources . While stating that a strong post-secondary
educational unit is the first necessary component in any research
endeavor, and requesting the Council 's general support for the
entire University, he pointed out that the specifics of the
University are the business of its own administration and faculty.
Mr . Bert Fraleigh speaking in support of the Resolution emphasized
the economic potential of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He
envisioned Hilo as a "university city" with the local economy based
on the university. He agreed that such a university should develop
those aspects of education best suited here. For examples he
referred to vulcanology, tropical agriculture , and the astronomical
developments on Mauna Kea. He suggested that the Council establish
a citizens committee to promote the development of the University
here. He also suggested that serious consideration be given to
State Representative Harvey Tajiri 's idea of separating the
University at Hilo from the University of Hawaii system. He said
this has happened in many other locations with positive results. He
cited examples of U.C.L.A. , Oregon State, Colorade State, and others .
EDC REPORT No. 7
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ADOPTED: JUL 3 1985
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EDC-7 2 June 25 , 1985
Representative Harvey Tajiri also testified in support of the
Resolution. He informed your Committee that resolutions which he
introduced calling for a study of the economic potential of
separating the University of Hawaii at Hilo from the University of
Hawaii system had passed the Legislature . He said the State 's
Department of Planning and Economic Development will be conducting
the study. He also urged that the Council concern itself with the
issue of student housing at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He
suggested that the decline in student enrollment was attributable
to the lack of student housing.
Councilmember Lai informedY our Committee that her intent in
introducing this resolution is to encourage the development of the
University of Hawaii at Hilo as a major center of science research
and education. She said that such a science center would be
valuable educational resource for Hawaii 's youth, and would result
in the University of Hawaii at Hilo becoming a major component of
the island 's future economy.
Your Committee indicated it was pleased with the testimonies
presented by Dr. Carse, Mr. Fraleigh and Representative Tajiri in
support of the resolution, and agreed that the development of a
major university in Hilo was desirable.
Your Committee will consider in the future the establishment of a
citizen committee to promote the development of a major university
in Hilo. It also looks forward to cooperating with the State 's
Department of Planning and Economic Development in its study to
determine the economic potential of separation of Hilo's university
from the University of Hawaii system. It also shares the concern
over the need for additional student housing, and will consider ways
in which the County can encourage student housing developments by
the private sector as well as by the university.
In consideration of Dr. Carse 's comment that the specifics of the
University should be its own business, your committee amended
Resolution 66-85 to:
1 . Clarify that the Administration of the University of Hawaii is
the University entity responsible to pursue the development of the
science degree programs at the University of Hawaii at Hilo;
2. Replace reference to astronomy, meteorology, tropical
agriculture, geo-sciences, marine science, and renewable energies
with a statement that the degree programs should be in those areas
of scientific development especially suited to the Island of Hawaii;
and,
3 . Request the strengthening of the support disciplines necessary
to prepare students for study in the scientific disciplines .
EDC-7 3 June 25 , 1985
Your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
Resolution 66-85 as amended and recommends its adoption.
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RUSSELL KOKUBUN,,t,A6L,,W/ VICE CHAIRMAN JA , L. . DAHLBER MBE'
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FRANK DE LUZ, III, MEMBER MERL K. LAI, MEMBOW.
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