CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle told the Chamber of Commerce yesterday that the school will break ground in 90 days for its new biomedical sciences facility in Kakaako. "This is a powerful tool," he said while holding up a shovel, "whether you're using it to destroy and bury or break new ground and build."

UH Wellness Center
will add 6,000 new
jobs, Dobelle says

The university president tells
business leaders it will generate
$100 million in tax revenue

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Star-Bulletin staff

How many business leaders does it take to screw in a light bulb?

OK, that joke wasn't told at yesterday's annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, but there was some levity to the event.

Upon introducing the luncheon's keynote speaker, University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle, incoming Chamber Chairman Chris Resich warned the audience they would be charged $4.95 pay-per-view to watch the speech live, or could view it for free on television later in the day. The quip referred to the recent brouhaha over UH's plan to charge neighbor island viewers for live broadcasts of Warrior games.

For his part, Dobelle proved he could take a joke.

On the pretext of showing a video clip of developments on the planned Kakaako medical research center, the crowd of about 800 was treated to Janet Jackson concert footage -- a reference to criticism Dobelle faced over his use of UH Foundation funds to take benefactors to the singer's concert.

But there was some real news on UH's Health and Wellness Center, which includes the John A. Burns School of Medicine, and biotechnology and cancer research centers, for which the university plans to break ground this fall. Architects Hawaii has been working on the design, joining contractor Hawaiian Dredging/Kajima in the ranks of local firms employed on the project.

The $300 million complex is projected to create 6,000 new jobs, generate $100 million in new tax revenues and produce $300 million in purchasing power, according to Dobelle.

The construction cost is estimated at $110 million, according to Walter Muraoka, principal in charge with Architects Hawaii.

"It's not your typical project," he said in a telephone interview after the meeting. "We have more than 20 consultants working on (it)."

Local talent has been hired whenever possible, Muraoka said, but the firm has gone to the mainland to find experts in things like library and laboratory design.

The conceptual design goes to the board of trustees tomorrow for final approval, said UH spokesman Paul Costello.

A business meeting preceded Dobelle's remarks and gave new Chamber Chairman Resich a chance to outline his agenda for the 150-year-old organization.

Voter participation topped the list.

"Our goal will be for every one of our 1,100 members to get every one of their employees registered (to vote)," he said.

Further tax reforms, specifically credits for Hawaii exporters, will top the Chamber's legislative agenda in the next session, said Resich.

"More money needs to get to the bottom line," he said.