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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0815.002 2010-2012 ��ge 1 of 4 WWII Murashige, Laura COMM, S�5 From: geomike5 @att.net Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 8:00 AM To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us Cc: bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us; apilago @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Spam Support of Bill 289 Wednesday September 19, 2012 If this email is not spam, click here to submit the signatures to FortiGuard - AntiSpam Service. In support of Bill 289: Build it and they will come. ' µ co That optimistic phrase, whether applied in scripture, Hollywood, or modern economics has been = successful guidance for any number of visionary advancements. In regard to Kona needing a 4-year educational campus, Mrs. Ford is absolutely correct and submits Bill 289 with perfect timing. Although the UH system seems to reject the idea at this time, being satisfied with a community-based learning center in Kona. It is not enough to say such additional opportunities are available in Hilo, they need to be localized. The key to success is advocacy and partnership, not only from the people but from the Island administrative arms. It is too easy to dodge involvement in critical areas by passing responsibility to the State. Energy, Agriculture, Schools, Roads, and Health Care are some of those topics passed by. Make no mistake about it; it takes local leadership to accomplish goals even at the State level, even more so if objectives are to be met in a timely fashion. Hawaii County has a great need for advanced training in all the above mentioned fields. We must move beyond the blue collar service industry. Not being able to provide local talent is a detriment to economic expansion. I am sure you know that companies look for local skills when seeking to relocate or expand. This fall, UH is opening a new baccalaureate campus at Kapolei on Oahu. I provide for you some comments from community leaders giving an outlook on the need for this campus outside of Manoa. You will note this has been an ongoing objective for perhaps 30 years. We must shorten that time frame for West Hawaii and passage of Bill 289 will address that need. With a sign of commitment and willingness to partner, West Hawaii demonstrates its sincerity toward providing higher education needs for local (S . L Comm. NI�o. Ref. To: ` 7 LUu,v1 Lt. 9/17/2012 Ref. Date SEP 1 9 201 Page 2 of 4 residents. As you read the following, simply substitute in your mind "Kona"for the references to Oahu and Kapolei (and ignore the reference to a rail-line station!). I believe you can honestly feel that this is the right time and place for educational opportunity expansion. Let us begin the initiative. Please support Bill 289 and support the future of the Big Island and its people. Michael Reimer GeoMike@att.net Quotes supporting a new campus: MRC Greenwood President,University of Hawaii System We are very excited to see the university's long-held dream of providing greater access to higher education for a key underserved region of our state coming to fruition. With construction now underway,our new campus in West O`ahu will also serve as a model for sustainability practices. Increasing the state's educational and intellectual capital is a priority for the University of Hawai`i and is crucial to Hawai`i's long-term success.Our new UH West O`ahu campus will help us achieve that goal and so much more. Imua UH West O`ahu. Ron Taketa Financial Secretary and Business Representative Hawaii Carpenters Union Members from Hawai`i's trades community have waited many years to take part in the building of projects such as the new University of Hawaii—West Oahu campus. With construction now underway,the university has helped to employ hundreds of skilled workers and will bring increased educational opportunities to Leeward Oahu families, including many of our own members.This university project has been an economic driver for the region and the State. 9/17/2012 Page 3 of 4 Micah Kane Trustee,Kamehameha Schools The largest native Hawaiian population lives in West O`ahu with more than 60 percent of homesteaders on the Leeward Coast alone. The new UH West Oahu campus increases both accessibility and the opportunity for many native Hawaiians to pursue higher education in an environment that feels like an extended `ohana. Don Homer Chairman,First Hawaiian Bank Building the University of Hawaii—West O`ahu campus is a strategic investment for Kapolei and our State. The new campus and its thousands of students will provide economic opportunities for the entire region for decades to come. Peter B Carlisle Mayor,City and County of Honolulu All of Oahu will benefit from the energy and ideas being generated at the University of Hawai`i-West O`ahu campus. This thriving environment for students is a vital component to the development of Leeward Oahu,especially with its own station connecting the campus to the rest of the island via the Honolulu rail system. The campus symbolizes promise and hope as we all work toward a vibrant and exciting future. Neil Abercrombie Governor UH West Oahu is much more than an education foundation in leeward O`ahu. It has the potential to be an economic driver, societal pacesetter and community resource. With strong leadership in place,ambitious capital improvement plans,and outstanding faculty,I know we are going to reach that full potential. Sharon Har State House of Representatives,District 40 In order to be O`ahu's true second city,Kapolei should be home to a world-class university,as UH West O`ahu will be. I'm proud that the state legislature funded UH West Oahu during my first term in office, demonstrating our commitment to both the university system and to West Oahu. This campus will undoubtedly spur economic growth and provide opportunities for Hawai`i's students and students from around the globe. Colleen Hanabusa Congressional District 1 9/17/2012 Page 4 of 4 The new UH West O'ahu campus will be a vital part of meeting the growing demand for access to higher education in Leeward O'ahu,removing geographical barriers and responding to the community's unique needs and opportunities. In serving the fastest-growing region of our State,UH West O'ahu will also play an important role in sustaining our local economy through job creation and workforce training. Maeda Timson 40-year community advocate For decades it has been our dream on the West Side to have UH West Oahu built. This dream is finally coming true,because of the leadership and vision of Gene Awakuni. He understands that a place of higher education in our region will provide a better future for our keiki,an enrichment plan for others in the community and an economic boost for the area.Because of the pride and excitement this campus brings we wear our sunglasses every day because our future looks so bright! Mike Gabbard State Senate,District 19 Rarely has our community,our island,and our State had a greater opportunity to positively affect the success of our workforce,our economy,and our families than with the construction of the University of Hawai`i—West O`ahu in Kapolei. Higher education and jobs are critical to the quality of life in the fastest growing region of our State.The new campus will provide both. Peter S.Ho President,Bank of Hawaii West and Central O`ahu will see the immediate benefit to building the University of Hawai`i—West O`ahu campus through greater access to education. Businesses, livelihoods and new economies for our State will see sustained benefits well into our future. !!!Support Bill 289!!! 9/17/2012