The Department of Research and Development strives for sustainable economic development to enhance the quality of life in the County of Hawaii. The department’s responsibilities include tourism, agriculture, new industry and industry development, energy, film, as well as information, research and statistics.

Another goal is to improve the quality of the visitors’ stay through product development and visitor satisfaction programs.

• Executed 11 contracts totaling $354,000 for activities such as visitor greeting, marketing, advertising, festivals, and special events.

AGRICULTURE: Our goal is to develop agricultural infrastructure and technology.

• $5,000 R&D grant was used to leverage more than $53,000 in state and federal funds for emergency repair of two lower Hamakua Ditch flumes.

• Papaya Demonstration Quarantine Project supported, keeping open a major foreign market, Japan.

Research and Development handles agricultural information dissemination and promotion.

• Sponsorship of the Commercial Orchid Production Workshop, involving 160 growers and community members.

• Sponsorship of the Annual Mid-Pacific Horticultural Show, attended by 700 buyers and sellers, a 40% increase over 1999.

• Quadrupling of foliage and nursery product sales; a sixfold increase of field stockfarm acreage; and a sevenfold increase in shadehouse production.

ENERGY: Our goal is to increase energy efficiency in the public and private sectors as an important means of strengthening the Big Island economy.

• On May 8, 2001, Honeywell Inc. started installation of energy efficiency measures at the Hilo Public Safety Building and Kona Police Station. Total project cost: $1.4 million with guaranteed annual energy cost savings of $140,000.

Another goal is to heighten the County’s energy emergency preparedness.

• Newly-developed energy emergency preparedness plan incorporated into the Civil Defense Agency’s Emergency Operations Plan; and New Hawaii County Energy Coordinator appointed by Mayor to the Hawaii State Emergency Energy Preparedness Advisory Committee.

Research and Development promotes the use of renewable energy resources.

• Supported Senate Bill 1435, providing $200,000 a year for 5 years to develop hydrogen fuel capabilities. This bill passed into law and will benefit development of a hydrogen R&D center at NELHA’s Gateway Project.

FILM: Another of the department’s tasks is to market and promote the Big Island by hosting/attending industry functions such as the AFCI Cineposium, Hawaii International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, AFCI Locations 2001, AICP 10^th Annual Conference.

We also provide support services to TV, film and commercial production companies.

• In Fiscal 2000-2001, we served 130+ productions from 12 countries resulting in $4.5 million into the Big Island economy. Hosted numerous scouts for productions like "Planet of the Apes," "The Last Resort," "Stewardess Cop," "Baywatch."

MUNICIPAL REFERENCE CENTER: Maintains and disseminates statistical, reference and program information to County and State agencies and the general public.

• Published the 1999 County of Hawaii Data Book.

• Distribution of a new county economic data/statistics report to a growing clientele.