Media Release
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i – The University of Hawai‘i is extremely pleased to announce it is receiving $9.68 million from Pālamanui LLC—a partnership between Hunt Companies and Charles R. Schwab—to begin construction of the first phase of the planned Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus in West Hawai‘i, the university’s first permanent physical campus on this side of the Big Island.

The initial contribution of more than $5.2 million was delivered to the university this week. An additional $4.4 million has been placed in escrow and will be released to the university upon completion of the mid-level road connecting Kona Palisades to the new campus, which the university is building and expects to complete in April.

Representing the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, Vice Chair James H. Q. Lee joined University of Hawai‘i President M.R.C. Greenwood in receiving the symbolic check. “A college education creates opportunities for a better life,” said Lee. “Community colleges, with their low cost and open access, are the entry point for many who have traditionally been left out of higher education. We are gratified by and appreciative of the efforts of all who helped bring this promise to the residents of West Hawai‘i. Our West Hawai‘i Regent, Carl Carlson, Jr., is out of state today but he, Chair Eric Martinson and the entire Board send their thanks to the many who made today possible.”

“This new campus is a powerful example of the university’s efforts to bring higher education and access to a college degree to underserved areas. We are absolutely committed to doing that as part of the university’s mission. The new Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus will provide educational pathways to a better future not just to Hawai‘i island residents, but to the residents of the entire state,” stated University of Hawai‘i President M.R.C. Greenwood. Steve Colón, Hunt Companies Hawai‘i Division President representing Pālamanui LLC said, “On behalf of Hunt Companies and Charles R. Schwab, I am thrilled to announce that Pālamanui has honored its commitment to provide the financial catalyst to make the Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus a reality. This campus has been a dream for many in the West Hawai‘i community for a long time, and it is especially gratifying to know that our efforts will guarantee its fruition.”

Pālamanui LLC will soon begin infrastructure improvements worth another $10 million for the university to connect to electricity and water lines. This necessary infrastructure will increase the Pālamanui investment to nearly $20 million and will enable the completion of the planned first phase of the campus. The Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus has been in the development stage for eight years and will be the first permanent physical campus for the UH System on the west side of the island of Hawai‘i.

Colón continued, “We look forward to a long relationship with the university, and we thank M.R.C. Greenwood, Rockne Freitas and John Morton for working with us on this important public-private venture. We would also like to thank Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi and his administration for helping to ensure that infrastructure needed to support the college will be able to move forward in a timely manner.” “Today marks the realization of a dream—that of access to higher education for West Hawai‘i’s underserved youth. The outlook for our children’s future just got brighter,” commented Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi. “Building this new Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus makes higher education possible for hundreds of local families. Our children will be able to learn skills and new technologies so they can compete for higher paying jobs. I commend Pālamanui LLC and its partners and appreciate their honorable fulfillment of promises made.”

Jim Lally, a community advocate for higher education and UH Foundation Board member, commented, “The Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus is a shining example of a project that required the collaboration of state, federal, county and private entities, pooling their resources and expertise, to invest in West Hawai‘i’s future to serve our community. I couldn’t be more proud to have been a part of this collaborative effort to bring higher education opportunities to West Hawai‘i.”

Hawai‘i Community College Chancellor Noreen Yamane said, “After years of waiting for a new campus in West Hawai‘i, today’s presentation marks the beginning of turning a dream into reality. Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui will build and expand upon providing access to higher education opportunities, train a skilled workforce and support economic development in this region provided by the UH Center at West Hawai‘i. In the spirit of E Imi Pono or ‘seeking excellence,’ our Hawaiian values and culture will provide the foundation for Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui to serve all segments of our island population. This is truly a dream come true!”

Comprehensive building plans are now being finalized and should be completed in February. The University of Hawai‘i will apply for building permits and will put the first phase of the project out to bid in the first quarter of 2012. A blessing, groundbreaking and the start of construction for the Pālamanui campus is expected this summer. The first phase of the Pālamanui campus, upon completion in 2014, will become the 11th campus comprising the University of Hawai‘i System.