S.R. 159 Summary

• Request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to support creation of the Hawaii Innovation Alliance as recommended by the Dual Use Report submitted December 8, 2023 pursuant to Act 121, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021.

• Support implementation of five key recommendations from the Dual Use Report: creating unity in the innovation sector, building on existing state and federal investments, ensuring strategic and targeted funding, promoting business financial self-sustainability, and establishing accountability metrics.

• Establish the Hawaii Innovation Alliance as a unifying brand providing innovators with a single source of support throughout their business lifecycle, with services from government, nonprofit, and for-profit providers accessible through an HIA website.

• Create "Innovation Sherpa" positions to serve as personal guides for dual use businesses, building long-term relationships to connect businesses with appropriate HIA services at strategic times.

• Position Hawaii to leverage its strong military presence and related research to develop dual-use technologies (applications for both peaceful and military use) that could reduce economic reliance on tourism.