Use of Revenue Bond Proceeds Recommended for Pālamanui

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Kelli K Trifonovitch, (808) 228-8108
Director of Communications and Outreach, University of Hawaii Innovation Initiative
Lynne Waters, (808) 956-9803
Associate V.P. for External Affairs, University of Hawaii System
Posted: Feb 8, 2013

Construction of a new University of Hawai‘i campus in West Hawai‘i is a step closer.  The University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents Committee on Budget and Finance has recommended that $6.5 million in University revenue bond proceeds be re-purposed for the Pālamanui campus development.  These funds, if approved by the full Board of Regents at its February 21, 2013 meeting at UH Hilo, will be combined with the $9.31M in private funds from Pālamanui partners and $7.5M in State general obligation bonds.  The University is also working with the contractor to reach an agreement that would allow the project to be initiated with these available funds, in order to award the contract at $23.31 million.

 

Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton said, “The Budget and Finance Committee’s action reaffirms the University's commitment to developing the Pālamanui campus, increasing the availability of college programs from both Hawai'i Community College and UH Hilo.”

 

The project entails construction of Pālamanui’s Culinary Arts Building and the Health Science and Student Services Building.  Construction will cover approximately 24,000 square feet and will include new classrooms, learning kitchens, and science laboratories. These buildings will house functions servicing the Culinary Arts, Nursing, and Allied Health programs, and Student Services Administration.  The campus should support about 700 students and is expected to open its doors in the fall of 2014.