I was expecting to take a blogging break today. However, there was several issues that cropped up that warranted a blog entry today.
Governor Lingle did the right thing by releasing the funding for the future University of Hawai’i Center at West Hawai’i campus. Nevertheless, I still have questions about Governor Lingle taking this action.
“The Democrat-controlled Legislature had appropriated $6.9 million for planning and $11.3 million for construction for the existing Hawaii Community College Manono campus and two new campuses — one at Komohana and the West Hawaii Education Center at Kalaoa.
The HCC spending plan, however, shows that 65 percent of the $6.9 million will go to the new Komohana campus and 35 percent to the new West Hawaii Education Center. No money is requested for the existing Manono campus.”
Governor Lingle refused to release this funding until now because most of it was being directed to East Hawaii. I wonder why she changed her mind after withholding this money for three years. In addition, I’m curious how much of this funding will actually be spent on the new Palamanui campus.
(Related item: Hawaii Campus Developers)
I received this comment regarding my recent poll (“Is it fair that DHHL homesteaders get fiber to the home connections while non-DHHL areas don’t?”). This is my rebuttal comment below:
“I recall it was seven or eight years ago that I complained to USDA RUS about their funding of Sandwich Isles Communications. They explained to me SIC is only able to service DHHL lands and I should talk to Verizon about this. The latter answer really made me very angry. It didn’t sit well (and still doesn’t) that DHHL gets an advanced telecommunications network while non-DHHL areas are still serviced by copper loop facilities.”
Goodfellow Brothers is starting work on the Mamalahoa Highway widening project on Monday March 22, 2010. This project is expected take 7 months to complete (depending on weather conditions).
Lastly, the DOE’s North Kona and South Kohala school impact fee proposal is not fair. This fee should be imposed statewide, not just in these two districts.
March 20th, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Well better late than never. Kona really needs this college to be completed. Having the so called Community college in Kealakekua isn’t good for students at all, plus that have to deal with the constant traffic problems and lack of necessary resources doesn’t make things better. Now just to wait and wait for this this to be completed. lol
March 20th, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Like Dustin said, it is better late than never. Education is the future of Hawaii and by finally releasing this money wisely appropriated by the legislature, despite its untimeliness, she is giving the children of Hawaii the education they need to succeed in this world.
March 20th, 2010 at 5:12 PM
I’m happy that she released the money for the college. However, I’m curious why it took her so long to do this?
March 20th, 2010 at 5:26 PM
We’re all curious. It looks almost incriminating that she withheld all that money for so long, similar to the “lack of integrity” the state Auditor Higa charged the Governor with in their little feud. But I’m afraid we’ll never know unless someone speaks up.