About five years ago, Kapiolani Community College professor Judith Kirkpatrick envisioned a new learning center at low-income Palolo Homes to overcome inadequate resources and facilities and provide learning opportunities for the poor.

Yesterday it came true with the grand opening of the $1.7 million center.

“;It's been a long time coming,”; Kirkpatrick said. “;I'm sort of in disbelief.”;

More than 300 families at the privately owned Palolo Homes can now use the learning center, which some hope could spring residents out of poverty.

Palolo Homes families, many of whom are immigrants, make 20 to 60 percent of median income, which is $61,160 for a family of three in Hawaii.

The Palolo Ohana Learning Center is more than 5,400 square feet, or somewhat larger than a basketball court, with a summer green and light brown decor. The modern space has red lockers and a new elevator.

It was built with a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant as part of the Palolo Pipeline Program, which taps local college students to create an educational pipeline for Palolo residents.

In the Pipeline Program, students and teachers from Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Chaminade University tutor residents, give health exams and create workshops that residents want. They in turn learn community service skills.

Additional funding came from the City and County of Honolulu, NeighborWorks America, the Atherton Family Foundation and State Farm Insurance Cos.

The Ohana Learning Center has more than 30 new computers in an air-conditioned room. It also has a kitchen, space for media production, a children's play area, a health exam room and a large-screen television. Wireless Internet blankets the site.

Rachel Orallo, 11, a Jarrett Middle School sixth-grader and five-year Palolo resident, had used the former computer center in the neighborhood run by KCC students, about a quarter of the new center's size.

“;It was fun even though it wasn't like this. Now it's awesome,”; Orallo said.

Stephen Maybir, 22, an 11-year Palolo Homes resident, said Palolo's computer access helped him research his own Indian and Fijian ethnic background, despite the computer sometimes breaking down for a week at a time.

“;It was slow but it did its job,”; he said. But the new center, he added, would help the community even more.

“;Being in a positive, beautiful-looking area, they're more inspired,”; said Maybir, a service member for AmeriCorps VISTA. “;There are other places, but nowhere else will it be like home for them. The challenge is to let them know it is theirs.”;