1Report Title:

Waikiki aquarium; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for repair and maintenance and capital improvement projects for the Waikiki aquarium. (HB3163 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3163

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the waikiki aquarium.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The Waikiki aquarium contains outstanding exhibits and educational programs and undertakes and supports research. In 2005, the Waikiki aquarium was selected by its aquarium peers as being among the top four aquariums in the United States. In December 2005, the Waikiki aquarium was featured nationally as part of a Public Broadcasting System television documentary highlighting the aquarium's top four placement, bringing welcomed, positive attention to the aquarium and to the University of Hawaii in general. The Waikiki aquarium has achieved national acclaim despite its dated infrastructure and the deteriorated condition of the physical buildings.

The Waikiki aquarium, with state support, has the potential to become the top aquarium in the nation and a world leader in Pacific ocean exhibits, education, and aquatic research.

Included in this Act is a capital improvement project to build a new two-story research building. The research undertaken in this building will focus on aquaculture and fish husbandry, as well as supporting ongoing activities, which have been severely restricted by space and equipment limitations.

Among the changes:

(1) The first floor will:

(A) Be partially sunken below grade to minimize the impact on the skyline, and allowing for the maximum height for the building;

(B) Include emergency holding tanks, grow-out facilities for aquaculture research projects, and a quarantine/fish pathology research section; and

(C) Be partly open around the perimeter to reduce electrical costs associated with cooling.

(2) The second floor will contain:

(A) A fish aquaculture research unit and breeding tanks and experimental holding facilities;

(B) A fish-food preparation area; and

(C) A section devoted to fish nutrition studies.

The roof will be open, surrounded by safety railing and will house organisms that require high light levels. By using natural sunlight, research projects on this level will reduce the costs of artificial lighting and electrical power and be ecologically friendly and energy efficient.

When completed, this building will provide a comprehensive research facility that will house all of the aquarium's aquatic husbandry and aquaculture research programs. It will also address the requirements of, and show commitment to, the new University of Hawaii aquaculture program.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for construction and renovation projects, including a new two-story research building, for the Waikiki aquarium.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for construction and renovation projects for the Waikiki aquarium; provided that all construction work shall meet or exceed the leadership in energy and environmental design silver rating standards for new construction/major renovation work (LEED-NC) and existing building operations (LEED-EB) established by the United States Green Building Council for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.