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Posted: Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 8:55 AM HST

New report cast postive light on NELHA

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

A new study is casting a positive light on the state’s largest ocean science and Technology park, less than two weeks after the release of a highly critical state auditor’s report. The University of Hawai`i Economic Research Organization report found that the 32 tenants at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i facility spent $81 million in 2010, with $50 million remaining in state, resulting in an estimated economic impact of nearly $88 million. The UH study comes on the heels of a 50-page management audit published May 31 that focused on transparency and accountability problems within the NELHA organization. The audit reported that NELHA began taking steps to implement reforms after a new administration took over management of the agency in June 2011.