Gov. Ben Cayetano says the state Legislature should make up its mind about a new University of Hawaii-West Oahu campus or just abandon the project. Gov urges decision on
West Oahu UH campusBy Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.comThe state had been in negotiation with Campbell Estate over a site for the campus in downtown Kapolei, but negotiations bogged down when the Legislature rejected the university's request for $150 million in construction funds.
"Had the Legislature given us the money, I think we would have been able to strike a deal to have the West Oahu campus in downtown Kapolei," Cayetano said yesterday. "I think the Legislature should make up its mind. If it doesn't give us the money, it should eliminate the project altogether."
The state is now considering alternative sites for the campus, including a state-owned 64-acre site near Kapolei middle and high schools.
"This was formerly the site for the sports complex -- the 'field of dreams' -- which is not going to be built right now," Cayetano said.
The "field of dreams" refers to a pet project of former Senate President Norman Mizuguchi, who envisioned the complex as a spring training facility for professional Japanese baseball teams and a vehicle for sports tourism.
When Cayetano put the $27 million project on hold two years ago, he said it was because Japanese teams had not committed to come.
Mizuguchi, who led the Senate ouster of then-Attorney General Margery Bronster and then-Budget Director Earl Anzai, claimed it was political retaliation.
UH President Evan Dobelle said he still favors the downtown Kapolei site, as endorsed by Mayor Jeremy Harris, but if that is not going to happen, he also approves of the 64-acre site the governor mentioned.
"I saw it and I like it, but my interest is still in the downtown site," Dobelle said.
Dobelle said the university probably would work with lawmakers and the community to come up with an alternative site within the next 60 to 90 days, as was done to select the Kakaako medical school site, "unless the governor and Campbell Estate can resolve whatever differences they have."
Other alternatives include Kalaeloa, Ko Olina, Leeward Community College (where UH-West Oahu is now located), Kipapa and Helemano.
Sen. Sam Slom (R, Hawaii Kai), the Senate minority leader, said he had previously opposed funding the West Oahu campus because he believes the university should focus on repair and maintenance to existing facilities before building new ones.
However, after listening to the governor brief him and other legislative leaders on the 64-acre site, Slom said that "since this is the position that the Legislature has taken, and there is strong support for this in the area, I will support it."
One advantage to this site is that the infrastructure is already in place and it mitigates some of the traffic concerns connected with building the campus in downtown Kapolei, Slom said.
"This makes a lot more sense than the original proposal," he said.
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