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NELH reached full operational maturity during 1987-88, highlighted by the installation of five major new pipelines delivering 23,000 gallons per minute and achieving complete redundancy in seawater supplies. Employment grew to 80 people, with 65 working in private sector projects as commercial operations expanded significantly. Cyanotech increased cultivation to 9 acres, Hawaiian Abalone Farm transformed into Ocean Farms of Hawaii with expanded species production, and new ventures like Japanese flounder farming and Maine lobster cultivation launched. OTEC research achieved a major milestone with the first production of potable freshwater from open-cycle experiments in August 1987. The visitor program hosted 3,500 people as media interest increased, while plans emerged for merging NELH and HOST Park operations to streamline Hawaii's ocean energy commercialization efforts.

Highlights:

To honor two men active in the development of deep ocean resources in Hawaii whose lives were lost to the power of the sea, pipeline dedication ceremonies were held at NELH-Kona on June 3, 1988, for Patrick Wolter of American Divers and Henry Horn of Makai Ocean Engineering.
Realignment of the 12-inch pipeline was completed in August 1987.
Air conditioning of the laboratory using cold seawater as coolant is installed in late summer 1987, saving a net average of $350 a month.
Proposal by NELH and ADP for the development of an informal visitor center and tours is approved by the NELH Board in July 1987.
Fiscal Year 1988 is considered to be the year that NELH comes of age, as five new pipelines capable of delivering 23,000 gallons per minute of deep ocean water were installed and became operational. Complete redundancy of seawater supplies is achieved at Keahole Point.
DOE/HOST/PICHTR 40” pipeline and pump station, installed by Kewitt Pacific, begins full-time operation on June 23, 1988.
Research is being carried out by DOE, SERI, ANL, and PICHTR.
Expansion of OTEC agriculture project to one-acre experimental farm is authorized.
Hawaiian Abalone Farm becomes Ocean Farms of Hawaii, installs two 16” pipelines to its 16-million-gallon kelp pond, and is expanding to grow oysters, sea urchins, and salmon.
Royal Hawaiian Sea Farms adds ogo, expands to a 1-acre site outside of the NELH compound.
Cyanotech increases pond acreage to 9 acres for microalgae cultivation.
A merger of NELH and HOST Park will be proposed to the 1989 Legislature.
Media interest sees an uptick.
The visitor program hosts 3,500 people in FY1988 and will be expanded.
Puna Geothermal considers a nearby geothermal mini-park to provide land for commercialization of projects that emerge from research.
The Puna HGP-A geothermal plant receives a major overhaul funded by the 1987 State Legislature, increasing power generation to 2.2 MW.
During FY1988, eight research projects are conducted at PGRC.
NELH-Kona employs 80 people, of whom 65 are with the private sector projects.
HOST Park underground electrical supply extended to NELH, replacing the temporary feed from Keahole Airport.
Plans are made to expand the analytical capabilities of the NELH water quality laboratory.
A Cooperative Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP) begins development for HOST Park and NELH.
A 7-acre expansion of the NELH compound is under construction using State CIP funds.
OTEC Heat Transfer, Biofouling, and Corrosion projects draw to a close per DOE instructions at the six-year point. Warm water loops closed in May and June, final coldwater loops shut off in September of the previous year.
Data collection begins in late summer 1987 from the OTEC Heat and Mass Transfer Scoping Test Apparatus (HMTSTA). Two 36-ft. towers were erected in July 1987.
First potable freshwater produced from open-cycle OTEC experiment on August 21, 1987.
Second OTEC condenser tower erected in June 1988.
ASTM Corrosion Tests conducted in spring of 1988.
Johns Hopkins Phytoplankton Project wraps up in September 1987.
Kona Seacoast Facility experiments with solar fish-drying units.
Aquaculture Enterprises (AE) begins new project in FY1988 at NELH to produce Maine lobster using cold deep seawater.
A Japanese-based firm proposes a flounder-growing project. The project begins on July 1, 1988.
NELH requests State funds to expand the Honolulu office to meet dramatically increased need.