Hawaii Senate Bill SR159

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism To Support The Creation Of The Hawaii Innovation Alliance That Was Recommended By The Dual Use Report And To Support The Other Recommendations Within The Report To Grow The State's Innovation Sector.

Impact

The establishment of the HIA is seen as a critical step towards reinforcing the innovation economy in Hawaii. It is designed to create a more cohesive support network for businesses involved in dual use technologies, which can serve both military and civilian purposes. By promoting a collaborative approach among private, public, and non-profit sectors, the initiative seeks to streamline access to resources, enhancing the potential for innovation and economic recovery while reducing reliance on tourism as a primary income source.

Summary

Senate Resolution 159 requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to support the establishment of the Hawaii Innovation Alliance (HIA) as recommended in the Dual Use Report. This initiative aims to bolster Hawaii's innovation sector by uniting various service providers under a single framework to better support local businesses. The resolution emphasizes the need to create a sustainable innovation economy in Hawaii, leveraging opportunities arising from the state's unique relationship with military technology and research.

Contention

While the bill aims to unify support for the innovation sector, there are concerns regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the proposed HIA. Stakeholders may debate the allocation of public funds and how performance metrics will be determined in measuring the impact of such initiatives. There may also be differing opinions on the prioritization of military-linked technology development versus other sectors within Hawaii’s economy, raising questions about inclusivity in the growth of the local business landscape.