Hawaii
University of Hawaii faces backlash over $285m Navy research deal
The University of Hawaii (UH) has faced backlash over the poised renewal of its $285 million Navy research deal.
Despite critics calling for the university to end its partnership with the Navy, which began in the early 2000s, its Board of Regents unanimously passed a motion on Friday allowing administrators to finalize the renewal of the school’s contract with the U.S. military worth up to $285 million over 10 years.
Supporters of the Applied Research Laboratory—which is the name of UH’s U.S. Navy University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC)—say it creates well-paying jobs conducting research with important civilian applications, while critics say the university shouldn’t be involved in a partnership that includes work for the military, some of which is classified.
Critics are particularly concerned about the U.S. Navy, which is the laboratory’s sponsor, following back-to-back fuel spills at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii in 2021. The first fuel spill event in late November 2021 contaminated the Red Hill drinking water well, which affected about 93,000 U.S. Navy water system users.
Vassilis Syrmos, UH’s vice president for research and innovation, told The Associated Press (AP) that the recent backlash reprises one that started when the university began its partnership with the Navy nearly two decades ago.
“The catastrophic event at Red Hill brought all those feelings up again,” he said. “There is no way to sugar coat this thing.”
Meanwhile, the UH student senate passed a resolution demanding the university end its partnership with the military.
Momi Bachiller, a fourth-year student of molecular cell biology and Hawaiian language who serves as a student senator, said it’s disheartening to students that administrators are pushing forward with the contract renewal despite its opposition.
“We are stakeholders, but they don’t respect us,” Bachiller told the AP.
The Applied Research Laboratory founded in 2008 focuses on ocean science, astronomy, optics and renewable energy. It is one of five UARCs across the country that researches critical Navy and national defense technology. The other UARCs are located at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Washington, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Texas at Austin.
The laboratory is a major source of funding for UH. Last fiscal year, the Department of Defense (DOD) provided roughly $65 million of about $625 million in so-called extramural funding the university received for research, according to Syrmos.
Syroms told the AP that Native Hawaiian students and residents are leading the outcry against the DOD.
“It’s a movement,” Syrmos said. “It’s a Native Hawaiian renaissance against the DOD presence. It’s real, and I don’t think it’s going away.”
Punia Pale, the student government treasurer, was one of the handful of students senators who testified against the research contract at Friday’s Board of Regents meeting.
“These lands should be returned to the Hawaiian people, and they should not be used for research that serves the U.S. military interests – especially when such interests have historically oppressed Indigenous people around the world, currently now Palestine,” Pale said during his testimony, in an apparent reference to U.S. support of Israel in its war with Hamas in Gaza.
Meanwhile, in a presentation to the Board of Regents earlier this month, Syrmos quoted UH’s former president, David McClain, who recognized the controversy of the UARC but said researchers should be able to pursue their interests.
“Because of the inherent diversity and need for freedom of inquiry which in my view does and should characterize the academy, I tend to be biased in favor of measures to support the individual scholar no matter how popular — or even more importantly, how unpopular — his or her research interests,” McClain is quoted as saying.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Hawaii
Acclaimed Escher String Quartet returns to Hilo
Hawaii
Hilton Hawaiian Hotel workers end 40-day strike
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Over 1,800 Hilton Hawaiian Hotel workers are expected to return to work tomorrow at 4 a.m. after they voted to end their strike on Nov. 4.
Workers at the hotel voted to ratify their new contract on ending a 40-day strike that began on Sept. 24.
The union says more than 3,200 Local 5 members at seven other hotels are still working without a contract and could strike at any time.
“Hawaiian Village have led all of us to an important & historic victory that puts hospitality workers and this community one step closer to making ‘one job enough’ a reality,” said Cade Watanabe, Financial Secretary-Treasurer.
“But our campaign continues until we have achieved settlements with Hyatt, Kyo-ya & Marriott – where more than 3,200 hotel workers have also authorized additional strikes if necessary.”
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Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Here’s how you can map internet speeds across Hawaii
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke is encouraging Hawaii residents to participate in a program to help expand access to affordable high speed internet across the state.
The “Digital Detectives” campaign started on Oct. 22 and ends Nov. 4.
The initiative also focuses on young people participating in the process.
“We’re excited to launch Digital Detectives, an initiative that allows everyone in Hawaii to make a difference and contribute to digital equity across our state,” said Luke.
“By working together, we can create a comprehensive, statewide map of internet speeds that will help to prioritize resources and improve connectivity for under served areas. Internet access is a necessity for education, healthcare, business, and staying connected — and this initiative will help to ensure that all Hawaii communities have access to high-speed internet.”
The campaign is part of Connect Kakou initiative to expand access across the islands.
To learn more and take the 30 second speed test, click here.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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