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The%20Exchange
The Exchange

by By Anthony Pignataro

February 01, 2007

WHO GAVE: Nicholas J. Susner



WHO RECEIVED: Governor Linda Lingle



DATE: Nov. 7, 2006



AMOUNT:  $6,000







“The reality is that the future economic fortunes of our state will

be determined by the capabilities and creativity of our people and by

their ability to work and communicate effectively with others around

world,” Governor Linda Lingle said in her Jan. 22, 2007 State of the

State Address. She was undoubtedly talking about men like Nicholas

Susner. CEO of Honolulu-based Science & Technology International

(STI) since 1993, Susner is the embodiment of the kind of “innovative”

business leader Lingle gushed over during her address. “STI’s mission

is enhancing the quality of life through the innovative application and

emerging technologies,” Susner said in the December 2002 edition of

California CEO. In a nutshell, the company builds high-tech detection

equipment, both for military and civilian uses. In 1999, it won a $50

million contract from the U.S. Office of Naval Research to design new

submarine detection technology, which is also used today in our own

waters to count whales. The company is also working on new spy blimps,

which sound very World War I, but are actually rather cutting edge. On

the healthcare front, STI has developed systems for better cervical

cancer detection and skin cancer treatment. For the kind of money

Susner donated to Lingle’s campaign—though he did wait until Election

Day itself to hand over the check—he could have at least gotten a

shout-out from Lingle during her address, especially considering that

he and his company won a mention in one of former Governor Ben

Cayetano’s State of the States.