2019-01-30 Letter to Senator Donna Mercado Kim and Senator Michelle N. Kidani SB 457 Relating to the Puna Distance Learning Center (2)

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Harry Kim Mayor Cn.>nxtt r of Paiintil Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director fire offile C 2 ar 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 January 30, 2019 Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Chair Committee on Higher Education Hawaii State Capitol Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Senator Michelle N. Kidani, Vice Chair Committee on Higher Education Hawaii State Capitol Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Dear Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kidani, and Committee Members: Re: SB 457 Relating to the Puna Distance Learning Center Hearing Date: January 31, 2019 — 2:45 PM; Senate Conference Room 229 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 Hawai'i at Hilo and Hawai'i 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. Respectfully submitted, Harry Kim Mayor, County of Hawaii County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.