Report Title:

UH-Hilo; Education and research center

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

161

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE UNiversity OF HAWAII AT HILO to study the feasibility of establishing an EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO TO BE LOCATED IN honokaa, HAWAII.

 

 

WHEREAS, the communities of north Hawaii have an area population of approximately 15,000 residents on the Big Island of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, in the area of higher education, the north Hawaii community is underserved; and

WHEREAS, north Hawaii is rich with opportunities to conduct research, field studies, and internships in areas such as rural health, rural nursing, agriculture, Hawaiian history, theater, music, astronomy, ethnic studies, community psychology, geology, botany, marine science, and oral histories of old plantation and ranching communities; and

WHEREAS, the old community hospital in Honokaa is underused, ADA compliant, and in fair condition; and

WHEREAS, the new hospital facility in Honokaa has a video distance learning link that could be used collaboratively with the proposed education and research center; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the proposed self-sustaining education and research center at Honokaa would be as follows:

(1) Offer selected courses via live and distance instruction to an underserved area;

(2) Create a research station that will serve as a base for research related to north Hawaii and other areas of close proximity;

(3) Enhance community service efforts of the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo);

(4) Facilitate community outreach and access to higher education and thereby provide a university presence in the area of north Hawaii for community service and research;

and

(5) Facilitate student entry into UH-Hilo and provide access for students in the area of higher education; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of an education and research center in north Hawaii would provide surrounding communities access to higher education and would benefit UH-Hilo by providing additional educational resources; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that UH-Hilo is requested to study the feasibility of establishing an education and research center in north Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting this study, UH-Hilo is requested to hold community meetings to assess the educational needs of the community and the possibility for research initiatives in the area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that community meetings include representatives from UH-Hilo, Department of Education, Honokaa Hospital, Honokaa High School, private schools in Waimea, and impacted communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include plans for:

(1) Two or three classrooms with a thirty student capacity;

(2) A computer reference room to provide students access to a computer link with UH-Hilo library;

(3) Three conference rooms for meetings, research, and service activities; and

(4) Three sleeping quarters for overnight stays by instructors, field researchers, and interns;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UH-Hilo submit a report with its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

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