The United States Pacific Island Territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have been self-governing for the past twenty-five years. They are in geographically remote locations, have different cultural identities, insular economic bases and a unique political status. In the State of Hawaii; Hawaii, Kauai and Maui counties can be considered "rural" areas which have similar characteristics and are comparable in size to the territories. These three counties are also significantly different from the territories because of their status as a political sub-division of a state. The Hawaii Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center is about five years old and has been established at the University of Hawaii, to conduct technology transfer to the State, Counties and Territories. A training needs assessment was conducted via a questionnaire sent to the six respective Department of Public Works (DPW). The purpose was to identify future training topics to be included in the transportation technology transfer (T_) process. A literature review was performed to assess technology transfer marketing strategies, human resource development, training and resources. An organizational reference framework was used to correlate training priorities, public works functions and training topics. Complete responses were received from Hawaii and Kauai counties, the territory of American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Maui county returned a partial response and Guam did not respond. The questionnaire enumerated some ninety training topics categorized by DPW function. The results generated thirty-four high priority, thirty-six medium priority and twenty low priority topics. Only one response included an additional topic not originally listed. Transportation technology transfer is a complex process with many constituencies and integrating diverse disciplines. Developing programs requires an institutionalized commitment of time, resources and effective communication to facilitate change in the local entities. (A)
Abstract