The proposed Ocean Science & Visitor Center in Poipu, Kauai would serve as an educational center about ocean science and technology. It would include a 2000-3000 square foot visitor center with exhibits on marine life, oceanography and man's interaction with the ocean. Additional spaces would house office and retail space, as well as a conference room. A $50,000 feasibility study is requested to determine the best location and design for the center, which would be a collaboration between local non-profits and aim to benefit both visitors and the scientific community through education and research.

1. HTA Amount Requested: $50,000 Feasibility Study for the:
Ocean Science & Visitor Center
At
Poipu, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii
Concept
The Ocean Science & Visitor Center is conceived as a multi-faceted
complex providing both an amenity to and a necessary component of
the Poipu Visitor Destination area, a region known for its marine and
shoreline environment. With a range of accommodations, fine
restaurants, beautiful beaches, Poipu has many of the components of
a first class visitor destination area. The proposed Ocean Science &
Visitor Center would help round out the area and provide both a
connection for the visitor to the ocean experience and a location for
on-shore support for research and technology for scientific endeavors
in the ocean around Kauai. Importantly, it will bring the visitor
together with the research and technology underway, benefiting both
through economic expansion of marine technological endeavors and
through providing a source of information and learning for Kauai’s
visitors and residents alike.
Development and management of the center will be a collaboration
and partnership between Kauai Economic Development Board, the
Poipu Beach Resort Association and the Kauai Discovery Children’s
Center. All three agencies are stable, long standing non-profits in the
community with over 30 years of combined experience in planning,
designing, constructing and implementing economic, visitor,
technology and educational projects and activities. Of particular
interest is the Children’s Discovery Center’s concept of creating an
active educational ocean science interpretation area, targeted to
various age groups of children and adults.

2. Preliminary Program
1) Visitor Center: 2000-3000 square feet with three separate display
areas; one for deep ocean marine life and technology; one for
shallow ocean marine life and technology such as marine life on
the reefs, etc. and one for shoreline environment, including
physical and cultural geography, geology, oceanography and
related sciences, including a focus of man’s interaction with the
ocean. A separate area will be developed as interactive,
interpretive area that would enable visitors and residents to
experience the true nature of the displays. Scientists and
science students could also be available for scheduled lectures
and demonstrations. The Center would also be able to schedule
activities in the ocean and near-ocean environment.
2) Gift/retail area: 500 square feet with items relating to the ocean,
such as books and periodicals, maps, CD's, fish charts, dive
guides, replicas of ocean creatures and subject-related
souvenirs.
3) Tech Offices: 2,000 square feet for the science and technology
companies currently unable to locate near the ocean in Poipu due to a
lack of reasonable office space. These scientists’ presence will
complement and enhance the visitor experience.
4) Poipu Beach Resort Association (PBRA) office (proposed property
management)- 1,000 square feet including a separate office that can
handle small meetings;
5) Conference Room/Classroom: 700 square feet for tech company
small meetings, for small community meetings, such as the PBRA
Board, Koloa Community Association Board, Koloa Plantation Days
Board, Poipu Beach Foundation Board, and condominium association
meetings. This room will be appropriately wired for video/tele
conferencing, and audio –visual presentations The room will be
available for school children visiting the Center and for various
seminars that might be offered on ocean tech subject and for lectures
open to the public pertaining to marine and shoreline environment.
6) Small service kitchen: 200 square feet, to support activities in the
Center and the conference room
7) Storage, maintenance and mechanical systems area: 300 square
feet for gift shop supplies, brochures distributed at the visitor center,

3. maintenance equipment, mop sink, air conditioning units and related
equipment.
Location
Facility siting is a subject requiring considerable care in Poipu. Initial
thoughts include a site along the By-Pass Road at the “entrance” to
Poipu, providing a highly visible location as well as one that has
excellent access. The landowner has shown an interest in leasing the
property at very modest price and the abutting landowner has
indicated a willingness to cooperate. However, before any
commitments are made, a feasibility study must first be conducted,
followed by meetings with the Poipu and Koloa communities and
individual stakeholders. Zoning also must be obtained.
It is estimated that such a study will cost approximately $50,000-
$75,000 to complete. The partnership will seek additional funding
from other private and public resources. Total design and
construction of the facility is approximately $1.5 mil.