KAILUA-KONA (May 28, 2013) — Hawai‘i Community College held a k?lpaepae ‘eli honua, or groundbreaking ceremony, on Tuesday for Hawai‘i Community College — P?lamanui, its new campus in Kona.
“Higher education has the power to transform students’ lives, and this new campus will ensure we are delivering quality, affordable college programs to our entire Hawai‘i Island community,” said Hawai‘i Community College Chancellor Noreen Yamane.
West Hawai’i is the only remaining major geographic region and population center in the state of Hawai‘i without a permanent facility for higher education. Hawai‘i Community College and the University of Hawai‘i currently offer programs in leased facilities in a shopping center in Kealakekua.
The P?lamanui campus has been in the planning phase for nine years, but university, government and community leaders have been working to build a permanent home for higher education in West Hawai‘i for over two decades.
"This is a proud day and a long awaited dream come true,” said University of Hawai‘i President M.R.C. Greenwood. “The new Hawai'i Community College — P?lamanui will be a state-of-the-art, energy-independent campus that will serve as a model for other state projects."
"With the support of many people, we are finally able to break ground on the first phase of the new campus for Hawai'i Community College – P?lamanui,” said John Mortin, Vice President for Community Colleges. “We are committed to increasing the opportunity for higher education in West Hawai'i, not just with programs from Hawai'i Community College but also by continuing to serve as a University Center to deliver programs from UH Hilo, UH West O'ahu, and UH Manoa as well."
P?lamanui LLC — a partnership between Charles R. Schwab and Hunt Companies — has offered significant financial support to help fund the development of Hawai‘i Community College — P?lamanui.
P?lamanui LLC donated $9.68 million for construction and also contributed $10 million in infrastructure improvements for water, power and sewer that directly benefit the college. P?lamanui LLC is building a mixed-use community on 725 acres adjacent to the campus to support the long-term needs of Hawai‘i Community College — P?lamanui and the University of Hawai‘i.
Hunt Companies Hawai‘i Division President Steve Colón, representing P?lamanui LLC, said, “Building the Hawai‘i Community College — P?lamanui campus is a commitment we share with the community. Charles R. Schwab and the Hunt Companies are honored to have played a part in helping to make this new campus a reality. Community building begins with investing in our youth, and the new Hawai‘i CC — P?lamanui campus will become the great equalizer for many families in their quest for access to higher education in West Hawai‘i. Today’s ceremonies launch the community’s vision of what’s possible for our keiki."
A $25.5 million bid from F&H Construction has been accepted for construction of Phase 1A and Phase 1B of the P?lamanui campus. If everything goes as planned, Hawai‘i Community College hopes to move into the new facilities in 2015.
The first phase of construction will result in 24,000 square feet of learning space, which includes classrooms, science laboratories, learning kitchens, and a learning commons area that consists of a library, learning center, and testing center.
The campus will also feature a large photovoltaic system.
All the programs that are currently offered by Hawai‘i Community College and UH in Kealakekua will be offered at the new campus, including culinary arts, nursing, liberal arts, Hawaiian studies, and more. New programs will be offered at Hawai‘i Community College — P?lamanui based on community needs, space availability, funding and curricula development.
