COURTESY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Hawaii Community College students say termite droppings fall on them as they work at this computer lab. Electrical wires are also jury-rigged to the ceiling.
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Funds for new UH campuses urged
Lingle withheld money for the Big Isle facilities over concerns as to how it will be spent
Rusting pipes, out-of-date electrical systems and termite-damaged support beams are just some of the problems plaguing buildings at Hawaii Community College, students and staff said yesterday.
At UH Day at the Capitol yesterday, they urged the governor to release $18.2 million for the planning and construction of new campuses in Hilo and Kona.
College information specialist Doodie Downs said the HCC campus was built in 1941 and that the buildings are falling apart. Termite droppings fall on students' heads in one classroom used as a computer lab, and electrical wires hang from the ceilings, Downs said.
"To me it's a safety issue," Downs said. "I don't think it should be a political issue."
The money -- $6.95 million for planning and $11.26 million for construction -- was approved by the Legislature two years ago.
But last fall, Gov. Linda Lingle said she had questions about how the money will be spent and the deals to build the new campuses. She said the deals need to be explained to the public.
Hawaii Community College is negotiating private-public partnerships with two developers who will build the new campus in exchange for development rights on adjacent properties.
COURTESY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE
A student toilet stall at Hawaii Community College shows signs of decay.
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Lingle said the university indicated that the entire $18.2 million would go to the new campuses, but the Legislature called for some of the money to be spent on repairs at the current campus.
"This is a significant and important investment in our university system and the Big Island community, so it is critical that we have clear and complete information before making a decision on how to spend taxpayer's dollars," Lingle said in a written news release on Oct. 31.
UH estimates the total cost of building both campuses at about $270 million.
Lingle met with Hawaii Community College Chancellor Rockne Freitas, UH President David McClain and other university officials in November, but questions still remain and the deals have yet to be adequately explained to the public, her spokesman said yesterday.
Downs said students at Hawaii Community College appear to be caught in the middle while other campuses, including next door at UH-Hilo, get new buildings.
"We just can't get the basics," Downs said. "We pay the same for tuition. Why can't we get what they (other campuses) are getting?"
The public-private partnerships to build both campuses will be on the agenda for the Board of Regents meeting next month in Kona, board Chairwoman Kitty Lagareta said last week.
Lagareta said the board will hold an informational meeting so members can have questions answered about the projects on the Big Island and UH-West Oahu.