UH Board of Regents approves long-range development plan for UH West O'ahu

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Carolyn Tanaka, (808) 956-9803
Mia Noguchi, (808) 956-9095
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Jul 21, 2006

HONOLULU — At its monthly meeting held today at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Board of Regents approved the long-range development plan for the University of Hawaiʻi-
West Oʻahu (UHWO).

"We are pleased that the BOR approved our long-range development plan today," said Gene Awakuni, chancellor of UH West Oʻahu. "This keeps the project moving forward while we work toward securing the funding required to make the campus a reality, especially for those in the growing areas of Leeward and Central Oʻahu." UH West Oʻahu plans to complete phase I of its campus in 2009.

The BOR also approved the appointment of Anthony Schinckel and Herring Kalua to the Mauna Kea Management Board (MKMB). The community-based board consists of seven members representing seven district constituencies with a stake in the management of Mauna Kea. Schinckel and Kalua are replacing outgoing board members who represent astronomy and Native Hawaiians.

Schinckel is the director of operations for the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Submillimeter Array and has over 18 years of astronomy-related experience on Mauna Kea. He also served as Technical Director and Telescope Engineer for the Caltech‘s Mauna Kea Submillimeter Observatory.

Kalua has worked for over 35 years for the state Department of Transportation and is currently supervisor for Construction and Maintenance on the Island of Hawaiʻi. He is involved in many community organizations including the Governor‘s advisory board on Veterans‘ services, East Hawaiʻi Kamehameha School‘s Advisory Committee, Hawaiian Homes Land Commission, and others. Kalua was also on the advisory committee during the development of the 2000 Mauna Kea Master Plan which provides him with insight on some of the MKMB management issues.

In other Board action, the regents approved the establishment of a College of Social Sciences Public Policy Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a graduate certificate in public policy.

The approval paves the way for the Center to develop an exemplary program in public policy to enhance the quality of life in the community. The center will provide education in public policy; conduct policy research on issues of significance to Hawaiʻi, Asia and the Pacific region; and facilitate and support civic engagement through university-community based dialog and other community forums.

The Regents also granted approval for the establishment of a new Associate in Science Early Childhood Education Program at Honolulu Community College which will provide options for those seeking to transfer to a four-year baccalaureate program. The new program will fully articulate to Early Childhood Education Concentration in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu campus that was approved by the Regents in January of 2006.

In board elections, Kitty Lagareta was re-elected as the BOR Chairperson and Ronald Migita was newly elected as Vice Chairperson for the 2006-2007 year. Migita, a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi, joined the BOR in 2005. He is chairman of the board for Central Pacific Bank and replaces Alvin Tanaka as Vice Chairperson for the Board.

In personnel action, Stephen Sylvester was appointed Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UH West Oʻahu. Sylvester is currently dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of History at Peru State College (PSC). He is a seasoned manager and has broad expertise in key areas of need for UHWO, including distance education, program review, and assessment. Leon Richards was also reappointed as interim chancellor of Kapiʻolani Community College.