Message from Governor Linda Lingle
and
Lt. Governor James R."Duke" Aiona, Jr.

Aloha!

On behalf of the people of Hawai`i, we send our personal greetings of aloha and welcome you to the inaugural FIRST in Hawai`i Regional Robotics Competition. We are delighted that 13 teams from the U.S. mainland have joined with our 25 Hawai`i teams to compete in this unique varsity sport of the mind.

Our Administration believes student robotics programs have tremendous value both to the lives of young participants and to the entire State of Hawai`i. Technology, globalization and innovation are rapidly reshaping our world. For our state to compete in the 21st century economy, while also preserving our unique natural resources and quality of life, we must develop the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills of the next generation. Robotics is an ideal path to this goal, as well as a way to build critical teamwork and problem-solving abilities - skills that will be utilized in any chosen career field. Gracious professionalism is a pillar of the FIRST organization and is exhibited by robotics students throughout the build season and during the days of competition. This is a natural concept for Hawai`i's teams to embrace as it correlates directly with our aloha spirit.

Our commitment to this competition began in January 2007 in New Hampshire at the 2007 FIRST kick-off with founder Dean Kamen and grew in excitement after the 2007 FIRST national championships at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta last April. We have been incredibly impressed by the caliber of the robotics students we have met at these events and those we have spent time with during the past year, many of whom are participating in this Regional competition. Their exemplary talents and ambition give us great hope for the future.

We are extremely appreciative of the support student robotics programs have received in Hawai`i. Now there are 95 robotics programs at schools statewide. Last year, there were four Hawai`i schools who participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition - this year, there are 25 teams and more than 450 students from O`ahu, Maui, Kaua`i and the Big Island competing at the Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawai`i at Manoa campus. We wish to extend a big mahalo to the mentors, sponsors, educators and parents who have made it possible for so many students to compete in FIRST Robotics.

Together, with peers from across the U.S. mainland, the students who are participating in the inaugural FIRST in Hawai`i Regional Robotics Competition are becoming part of our state's history. We are certain that the inspiration and abilities you develop through robotics will positively impact your entire lives, and the future of Hawai`i.

Mahalo,