HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Senator Will Espero expressed his support for the aerospace industry during his welcoming remarks at the 2016 Hawaii Aerospace Summit being held at the State Capitol.

Sen. Espero (Dist. 19 - ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages) has long been an advocate for growing the aerospace industry in Hawai‘i and has introduced legislation to support programs throughout the state. While notable advancements have been made in this sector of the economy, Sen. Espero called on the private sector to collaborate with government to help Hawai‘i become a major international player in the aerospace industry.

Espero said he envisions a number of areas where Hawai‘i could enhance its aerospace industry: space tourism, robotics and unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones.

“There are so many applications for UAS. There’s mapping, traffic control, the agricultural industry, fisheries, film, fire-fighting, even crime-fighting. We can also be at the forefront of manufacturing,” said Sen. Espero. “This is an area in which we need to invest and must not let this opportunity go by.”

The Hawai‘i Aerospace Summit is held during Aerospace in Hawai‘i Week – part of World Space Week being celebrated in over seventy countries during the first week of October. The Summit brings together representatives from Hawai‘i’s government, education and business sectors, along with delegates from aerospace agencies and corporations nationwide to help expand and diversify Hawai‘i’s economy and enhance the State’s leadership role in the global aerospace industry.

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