Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy Laros presents at Galaxy Forum Hawaii 2019 Kamuela

2. The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit
member organization that exists to provide
LEADERSHIPand ADVOCACY
for a successful business environment in West Hawaiʻi.

4. Commerce in Waimea

5. Commerce along the Kona Coast

6. Commerce in Kailua Village

7. Commerce in South Kona

8. Chamber members grow

9. Chamber members ride

10. Chamber members build

11. Chamber members pave the way

12. Chamber members offer adventure

13. Chamber members guide

14. Chamber members offer paradise

15. Chamber members share aloha

16. Chamber members educate

17. Chamber members connect to the community

18. Chamber members connect to the world

19. Chamber members connect to the universe

24. The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Key Priority
ASTRONOMY & MAUNAKEA

25. We strongly support the
astronomy industry, science, culture
and environmental stewardship of Maunakea

26. We strongly support the
development of the Thirty Meter Telescope

27. ASTRONOMY INDUSTRY
ECONOMIC IMPACT
• $167 million statewide
• $88 million in expenditures
• $8 million in state taxes
• 1,400 jobs statewide
The Economic Impact of the Astronomy Industry in Hawaiʻi (2014)
The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaiʻi (UHERO)

28. TMT ECONOMIC IMPACT
• 300 jobs during construction
• 140 jobs when complete
• $40 million annually for operations
• Annual lease increases to $1M
when operational
Thirty Meter Telescope Fact Sheet - September 2019
Retrieved from www.tmt.org

29. ASTRONOMY and COMMUNITY BENEFIT
• Preparing students for Hawaiʻi’s 21st century jobs
• The Hawaiʻi Island New Knowledge (THINK) Fund
• Annual TMT contribution $1M
• To date, $4,254,233 to Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
• To date, $1,282,731 to Pauahi Foundation
• Workforce Pipeline Program
• Akamai Internship
• Maunakea Scholars

30. We support the current Maunakea management
structure and stewardship initiatives.

31. Mayor Harry Kim’s Plan
• KKCC supports
• Acknowledges and honors
Hawaiian Heritage
• Addresses issues
• Pledges
• Initiatives of the Vision
• Cultural Center
• Science, Education
• Management
• ‘Beacon of Hope’