Strongly Supporting The Construction Of A Floating Drydock At Pearl Harbor.
The bill is projected to generate significant economic benefits for Hawaii. It is expected to create high-paying jobs, attract investment, and foster workforce development in the state's maritime and defense sectors. By facilitating the construction of the drydock, the resolution aligns with efforts to modernize the infrastructure necessary for efficient naval operations and maintenance.
House Resolution 128 expresses strong support for the construction of a floating drydock at Pearl Harbor. The resolution highlights the strategic significance of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet. It emphasizes that the construction of this floating drydock is essential for enhancing the shipyard's capacity to service submarines and surface vessels, thus playing a critical role in national defense capabilities.
While the resolution supports the development of the floating drydock, it notes that previous initiatives have faced hurdles. Act 45, enacted in 2019, authorized special purpose revenue bonds for the drydock's construction, but rising costs prevented these bonds from being issued. This indicates a persistent need for investment in ship maintenance infrastructure, which is vital for reinforcing Hawaii’s strategic importance to Navy operations in the Pacific and responds to ongoing national priorities.