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Posted: Monday, June 18th, 2012 9:11 AM HST

Money approved for Big Island Space Facility

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

Funding has been approved for permanent facilities to house the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES). The international research and education center, dedicated to sustaining life on the moon and beyond has been situated on the University of Hawai`i at Hilo campus since its creation in 2007. But State Senator Gil Kahele told KPUA News that the state legislature approved $1.8 million for planning, design and construction of a facility at Shipman Industrial Park, which will be matched by $1.8 million in federal funding. “This facility will act as an international hub for interested corporate, government and University participants to design, develop and coordinate these new technologies in Hawai`i,” Kahele said. “The presence of this facility will bring jobs in the related trades and technical fields. Kahele added that PISCES is working with local organizations to facilitate development of a locally-trained labor pipeline. He anticipates CIP funding for Phase I being released his fall and construction of the facility next year.