Apollo 15 astronauts train in ‘Apollo Valley’ on the Big Island in December 1970. Credit: NASA
Lawmakers are making moves to revive aerospace development in Hawaiʻi and diversify the state’s economy. According to an article in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Jan. 22, 2024, two measures have been introduced that would help Hawaiʻi become relevant again in U.S. aerospace efforts.
On Jan. 18, Sen. Glenn Wakai introduced Senate Bill 2081 to establish an Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program in partnership with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Rep. Kanani Souza, chair of the new bipartisan Aviation and Space Caucus established Jan. 8, introduced a bill the following day that would reopen the Ellison Onizuka Space Center at the Kailua-Kona airport.
“Aerospace is one area where Hawaiʻi can be a global leader,” Wakai said in the article. Hawaiʻi, especially Hawaiʻi Island, has a long history of supporting space missions and training including NASA’s Apollo program.