HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0495.019 2008-2010
October 06, 2009
Aloha County Council,
Mahalo for listening to our concerns today regarding UH and Hawaii Community College
West Hawaii Campus. My name is Kanoe Case and I am the Secretary for Hawaii Community
College Student Government. I would like to share with you on behalf of our student body our
perspective on the issue of our West Hawaii Campus. We are still getting familiar with the
legalities of this matter though we can certainly share with you how building this campus will
be beneficial to our needs. If it weren't for our fellow college students out on the West side
there wouldn't be a need for us to come before you to speak today. But unfortunately they are
in need of a more stable, more permanent college learning environment. We have been to our
West Hawaii campus and putting on an event for the students was quite different when you are
surrounded by a bunch of local businesses. We need a permanent campus for our students, in a
more ideal location, as soon as possible.
Here are some of our claims:
Claim #1:
Building this college will accommodate to population growth on the North, NW, South, and
SW side of our Island.
1. Demographics of Hawaii:
A. State population at over a million (1,288,198)
B. Hawaii County population according to Census Bureau in 2000 was at 175,784
and has certainly risen since than.
C. City of Hilo as of 2000 40,759
D. City of Kona as of 2000 and according to Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
website N, NW, S, SW districts combined had a total population 63,000 as of
2005.
Claim #2:
Construction of this campus would provide better opportunities for our island youth, keiki
and families as well as youth around the World who are interested in getting their education
here on our Islands. (Ex: Statewide/National/International Students)
A. We have limited resources for our youth. College is one of a few ways to
create a better society, a way out to lessen some of our trials and barriers
that are before us.
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B. Regardless of age or minority it is encouraged in our society today to obtain a
college education if you would like to excel or have a better life yet in our
communities on the other side of our Island there are no permanent facility
provided to achieve our goals, dreams, and aspirations for ourselves to make
a positive impact for ourselves, our ohana and our communities as a whole.
Claim #3: There are currently four colleges in Kona, 3 if you consider Hawaii Community
College and UH as one. 2 of these colleges only serve a certain population in college context
therefore in this situation we are lacking in accommodation to diversity in our Kona
community as a whole.
A. For example the University of Nations is Christian based.
B. There is Hawaii Flight Academy which serves those who are interested in the
travel/ air transportation industry.
C. Constructing a permanent Hawaii Community College West Hawaii campus/
UH Kona Campus would serve a more diverse population of persons and
provide them with opportunities and resources to accomplish their goals in
achieving a higher education.
Positive Outlook/Suggestion: We could construct a useful model of sustainability
implemented in the construction of this new campus and impact many not just ourselves by
being a role model in the production of sustainability while also taking care of our students
who seek a college education by providing for them a real campus.
In Conclusion I'd just like to share that through our Hawaii Community College Outreach
Program Gear- up A.K.A Running Start with Mrs. Quintana and Mrs. Lambert HawCC student
volunteers, myself as well, will be recruiting High School students by going around to various
high schools and sharing with them some of our life experiences, our college experiences, our
goals and the benefits to going to college. We are on a mission to raise the number of
registered Native Hawaiian students as well as all cultures and enthicities as a whole. We need
the proper facilities to reach this goal so we can help educate our communities. Students need
these facilities to reach their goals. "They say that student voices make a difference so let it be
shown today and made a priority for it would be beneficial to all parties."
Mahalo Nui Loa,
Secretary Kanoe Case
Ahahui 0 ka to
Hawaii Community College Student Government/ 933-1105