NHERC celebrates 10 years of serving the North Hawaiʻi community

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Contact:
Alyson Kakugawa-Leong, (808) 932-7669
Dir, Media Rel, University Relations
Posted: Jul 22, 2016

The public is invited to join the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo North Hawaiʻi Education & Research Center in celebrating 10 years of serving the North Hawaiʻi community. The 10-year anniversary celebration will be held on Sunday, August 7, from 11a.m.-2 p.m. at NHERC, located at 45-539 Plumeria Street in Honoka`a.

“It will be a day to celebrate the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s presence in North Hawaiʻi as well as giving thanks to the Hamakua community for their ongoing support of NHERC’s mission,” commented Julie Mowrer, NHERC’s acting director. “There will be food, live music with local musicians Ryan Hiraoka, Ryan Higgins and the Honokaʻa Seniors, face painting, balloons, and fun games for the keiki, a sneak peek at the progress made on the long-term exhibit at the Heritage Center, and a silent auction to raise funds for student scholarships and the Heritage Center.”

The celebration will also feature University and community leaders beginning at 11 a.m.

The North Hawaiʻi Education & Research Center was established in 2006 as a crucial component of establishing a higher education presence in North Hawaiʻi. It was developed as a community-driven initiative that strives to meet the future challenges of Hawaiʻi’s economy in the 21st century while at the same time preserving the unique and rich history of the North Hawaiʻi communities. 

Since opening, NHERC is proud to have had over 500 students take University classes in Honokaʻa, allowing greater accessibility for students to gain a college education. In addition, with the Heritage Center opening in 2011, NHERC has had the privileged of sharing the history of the Hamakua community with over 4,500 people, ranging from local schoolchildren to international visitors. In 2016, 10 years after NHERC’s opening, the staff and faculty continue to work in collaboration with the community to meet its future needs while at the same time preserving the area’s important history.