STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3829

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 672

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 672, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems

G.M. No. 672

CHRISTIAN WONG for a term to expire 06-30-2029,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Christian Wong for service on the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES).

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Christian Wong from the University of Hawaiʻi System and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Wong's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Board of Directors of PISCES as a member from government, industry, and academia, both national and international, with appropriate professional interests and backgrounds. Your Committee notes that Mr. Wong is the Executive Director of the Hawaii Science and Technology Museum (HSTM), a local nonprofit that he founded in 2015. In this role, Mr. Wong provides impactful science, technology, engineerin, and mathematics (STEM) education experiences to twenty-thousand youth annually across the island of Hawaii, including science camps, after-school programs, tutoring, cultural programs, robotics educations, along with workforce development and research and development initiatives. Mr. Wong has served as the Principal Investigator for the CubeSat mission launched jointly by HSTM and Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory (Hiapo) aboard the Firefly Aerospace Alpha Launch Vehicle maiden flight, and will serve as the Principal Investigator for the Hiapo 2.0 mission scheduled for launch in 2026, which seeks to advance understanding of solar wind energy transfer into the thermosphere, if this transfer of energy is occurring via hydrodynamic dynamo processes and its effect on climate models. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Wong is an active member in his community and profession, including building three robotics and technology centers and serving as the chair of the Hawaii State VEX Robotics Planning Committee, expanding access to robotics education and competition for K-12 students statewide. Your Committee further notes the long history of collaboration between HSTM and PISCES, including their ongoing collaboration on a National Aeronautics and Space Administration Technology, Engineering, and Aerospace Mission Support (NASA TEAMS) grant for the formation of a NASA Education Hub at HSTM and another at the University of Guam. Your Committee finds that Mr. Wong has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in aerospace research and STEM education will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems. Your Committee therefore recommends that Christian Wong be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Technology,

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair