2019-02-19 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran SB 457 Relating to the Puna Distance Learning Center

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Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawai i Office of the Mayor Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 February 19, 2019 Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair Committee on Ways and Means Senator Gilbert S. C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair Committee on Ways and Means Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members: RE: SB 457 Relating to the Puna Distance Learning Center Puna, with a land mass about the size of Oahu, is the largest geographic area in the State of Hawaii without an institution of higher learning. Its residents, perhaps attracted by the relative affordability of housing, are among the state's lowest income and suffer the highest poverty rates. Much of the district lacks access to reliable, high speed internet making on-line or web -based learning a challenging hardship, and the long commute to Hilo and its "big city amenities," like the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College, may be prohibitive for reasons of both time and money. The establishment of a distance learning center within the Puna district would provide essential access to post -secondary education within a reasonable commute distance; thereby enhancing opportunities for students to develop their skills and improve their futures without leaving their home district. I hope this Committee will act favorably on SB 457. e�pectful.ly. Submitted, a "4\ Harry Kim MAYOR County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.