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State frees $10M for Kauai college center

Gov. Linda Lingle recently released $10 million for construction and equipment for Phase I of the One-Stop Center at Kauai Community College.

The center will house administration, student services and academic support offices so students can go to one building for enrollment, testing, counseling, financial aid, registration and business office services.

Currently the Student Services program operates from the Campus Center, while the administration and the University Center Program operate from the Learning Resource Center.

"When completed, the One-Stop Center will make a tremendous difference, serving as a centerpiece for our college and greatly enhancing services for our college community," said Kauai Community College Chancellor Peggy Cha.

The university ranked the project among its highest priorities, in part because of concerns raised by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The commission had expressed concern that the current location and space assignment of the offices interfered with the quality of services available to students.

The amount released includes $9,375,000 for construction and $625,000 for equipment. The design was completed in July, and construction is expected to be finished by August.

Phase II will provide facilities for the Office of Continuing Education and Training (OCET) and the bookstore. OCET now operates from temporary portable buildings and faces limited space as well as a lack of integrated technologies needed to adequately plan, coordinate and administer noncredit short-term courses and activities.

Former Girl Scouts invited to reunion tea

Grown-up Girl Scouts are invited to a reunion tea at the Girl Scout Hale on Saturday.

The event takes place 2 to 4 p.m. at 420 Wyllie St. Parking is available at the hale or at Maemae School.

The event is free but reservations are encouraged. Anyone who has been a Girl Scout or leader anywhere in the world is invited to attend.

For more information, call Kristi Cardoso at 595-8400, ext. 216, or e-mail her at krcardoso@girlscouts-hawaii.org.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Women and children hurt in Big Isle crash

A 9-month-old infant was critically injured, and three women, a 6-year-old boy and a second infant also were hurt in a two-car accident yesterday on the Big Island. The accident happened at about 1:41 p.m. on Queen Kaahumanu Highway near Waikoloa Beach Drive while both vehicles headed north.

Police said a sport utility vehicle, driven by a 20-year-old woman, suddenly tried to pull over to the side of the roadway, leading to a collision with a pickup truck. The SUV rolled over, critically injuring a 9-month-old boy in an infant seat in back. The 20-year-old driver broke several bones.

A 19-year-old woman and a 5-month-old boy in the SUV were slightly injured. The pickup truck's driver, a 25-year-old woman, and her 6-year-old passenger sustained serious injuries. Police are investigating.