U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie says he is seeking $30 million in federal stimulus money to finish the construction of the new University of Hawaii at West Oahu campus.

Abercrombie said the project, which will break ground next month, is an “;ideal”; candidate for federal construction funds either through a transit infrastructure program or economic development funds that might be available from Congress after President-elect Barack Obama takes office next month.

“;You've got a project that can start within 90 days, put a whole lot of people to work and can accomplish a public interest that everybody agrees on,”; Abercrombie said Friday in an interview. “;I think UH-West Oahu fits it (a stimulus bill) perfectly.”;

UH-West Oahu is looking for $30 million to $50 million to start construction on the first four campus buildings after a $100 million deal to sell land around the campus for development fell apart. The $100 million was supposed to pay for construction of the new campus.

Abercrombie emphasized that it is still early in the process as details of a stimulus bill are still being worked out.

“;I don't want to jinx it,”; Abercrombie said.

But he said he is working on a couple of different approaches. One would be to get funds to build roads, sewer, electricity and water for the campus infrastructure as part of perhaps $45 billion being proposed for transit infrastructure nationwide.

The UH-West Oahu campus, he said, is a key part of the proposed mass transit system for Honolulu, and the money could be used to develop the infrastructure needed by both the university and a rail transit station next to the campus.

The other option, depending on how the stimulus bill is written, is to propose the campus as a project that will help develop the state's economy.

“;I will certainly make that case to the Appropriations Committee, and I will certainly make that case to President Obama's team,”; he said.

Another factor that could work in favor of UH-West Oahu is that the state is already committed to $35 million for construction, Abercrombie said.

The university is also putting up 55 acres for sale which could raise $40 million or more toward construction. The money is enough to finish the campus infrastructure but not enough for campus buildings.

UH-West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni said he has been talking to “;at least half a dozen”; developers who are interested in buying the property.

“;We're encouraged by the prospects,”; said Awakuni. “;I don't know who we're going to be competing against (for federal money), but we think our project is worthy.”;

Gov. Linda Lingle's office had no comment over the weekend on Abercrombie's proposal or whether UH-West Oahu would be on the state's list of proposed stimulus projects. The Governor's Office scheduled a news conference for today to announce construction projects that will create jobs in Hawaii.

Jennifer Goto-Sabas, the chief of staff for Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, said it is too early for the senator to take a position on a specific project.

Goto-Sabas said Inouye's staff is gathering lists of possible projects from all counties.