HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-30 Letter to Senator Donna Mercado Kim and Senator Michelle N. Kidani SB 457 Relating to the Puna Distance Learning Center (2)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.