For Immediate Release: September 15, 2004
DBEDT Release News 04-27

HONOLULU--The Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) has begun a nationwide search for a new chief executive.

"We are anxious to maintain the very exciting momentum that has been generated at NELHA in the past several years," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu who is also a NELHA board member. "NELHA is a research facility and business incubator that has become a model that illustrates the best results from a strong partnership between the state and the private sector."

NELHA began in 1974 when the Hawaii State Legislature created the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii on 322 acres of land at Keahole Point. By 1984 it had become apparent that the seawater being pumped up for OTEC research could also be channeled into many other profitable uses. New legislation legalized commercialization on state property allowing NELH to host new tenant business ventures.

In 1990, NELHA was attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. In 1998-99, the Legislature expanded the activities allowed at NELHA to include other business activities that could enhance economic development and generate additional revenues to support the growing park.

Today, NELHA is "landlord" to nearly 30 thriving enterprises which generate about $30-40 million per year in total economic impact, including tax revenues, more than 200 jobs, construction activity and high value product exports. Two pipeline systems pump deep and surface seawater to shore 24/7 and a third, the world's largest and deepest (to a depth of 3,000 feet), is being developed now.

One of its newest tenants, Koyo Corporation of Japan, has moved from a start-up to being the state’s largest exporter in less than a year. Koyo desalinates and bottles Hawaii Deep Sea Water for sale in Japan. The bottled water market is so promising that the former Chief Executive, Jeff Smith, resigned to operate a NELHA tenant company himself.

In searching for a new CEO, Liu said that the Board will focus on recruiting local talent and advertising heavily to Hawaii expatriates who are currently living on the mainland, but want to return to the islands.

"While we would certainly prefer someone with local sensitivities, we are not going to rule out any candidate," Liu said. "The success of NELHA is too important to the state’s economic diversification goals. We are committed to finding someone with the right set of skills to continue the development of our assets there."

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov

Marsha Wienert, Tourism Liaison
Phone: (808) 586-2362
Email: marsha.wienert@hawaii.gov

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations, Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-0043
Email: russell.pang@hawaii.gov