Construction of a new University of Hawaiʻi campus in West Hawaiʻi is a step closer as the University of Hawaiʻi 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.
If approved by the full UH Board of Regents at its February 21, 2013 meeting at UH Hilo, the funds will be combined with the $9.31 million in private funds from Pālamanui partners and $7.5 million 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.
“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 Hawaiʻi Community College and UH Hilo,” said UH Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton.
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.
