1998-1999

A Biennial of Growth and Expansion

View The 1998-1999 Annual Report >>

The biennium of 1998–1999 was a period of remarkable growth and consolidation at NELHA, as HOST Park advanced critical infrastructure, attracted new tenants, and diversified its portfolio of ocean-based industries. A new booster pump station was designed and built to enhance seawater supply, while $16 million in state CIP funds were allocated for expansion of the system. More than 160 investor information packets were distributed, and tenants ranging from aquaculture startups to biotechnology pioneers expanded or broke ground on new facilities. From abalone and seahorses to microalgae, pearls, lobsters, oysters, shrimp, and even gourmet mushrooms, the Park’s spectrum of innovation broadened significantly. Milestones included Cyanotech’s first FDA clearance for BioAstin™, expansion of Big Island Abalone, and the conclusion of PICHTR’s pioneering open-cycle OTEC project. Together, these achievements underscored NELHA’s role as a unique driver of scientific progress, sustainable enterprise, and economic development in Hawai‘i.

Highlights:

  • Designed and built a new Booster Pump Station to support HOST Park seawater supply.
  • Hawaii Legislature allocated $16 million in CIP funds for expansion of seawater system, boosting capacity by 40,500 gpm surface and 28,500 gpm deep seawater.
  • Over 160 Project Initiation Packets distributed to prospective tenants; Board heard more than a dozen proposals.
  • New tenants: Marine BioProducts (seaweed research), Ocean Rider (seahorse culture), Stockly’s Aquariums (anchialine shrimp).
  • EagleNet Sea Farms and Oceanic Institute approved to break ground at HOST Park.
  • Woods Hole’s “Café Thorium” and Marine Life Investigative Group joined as research tenants.
  • Aquasearch completed $2.5M facility; launched astaxanthin production with Finnish partner Cultor Ltd.; joined UH’s MarBEC.
  • Big Island Abalone Corporation tripled its facility; secured 10-acre HOST Park site for commercialization.
  • Black Pearls, Inc. developed hatchery tech and mobile quarantine systems; advanced state’s ocean leasing law.
  • Coast Seafoods expanded oyster and clam seed nursery at Keahole.
  • Common Heritage Corp. launched integrated “blue-green revolution” deep seawater demo system.
  • Cyanotech expanded to 183 acres; launched BioAstin™; partnered with Norsk Hydro ASA; named Governor’s Exporter of the Year.
  • High Health Aquaculture expanded SPF shrimp broodstock program.
  • Indo-Pacific Sea Farms advanced coral and clam culture research.
  • Kona Bay Oyster & Shrimp Co. marketed blue shrimp to local hotels.
  • Kona Cold Lobsters distributed live Maine lobster and Dungeness crab across Hawaiʻi and Asia.
  • MacFarms tested proprietary irrigation system at NELHA.
  • Makai Ocean Engineering continued OTEC research with CEROS support.
  • Marine BioProducts, Inc. advanced specialty agar production research.
  • Ocean Rider developed seahorse breeding for ornamental and herbal markets.
  • Ono Take Inc. transitioned shiitake and reishi mushroom research to commercial production.
  • Pacific Harvest doubled its moi growout facilities, expanded overseas markets.
  • PICHTR concluded 210 kW open-cycle OTEC demo project, dismantling plant in 1999.
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