There might not be enough money to actually build the first structures yet, but University of Hawaii, government and community leaders were optimistic enough to break ground yesterday on the decades-long dream of a new UH-West Oahu campus in Kapolei.

West Oahu Campus Blessing

 

Ground Breaking On University of Hawaii West Oahu Campus

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“;Starting this project now is perfect timing,”; Gov. Linda Lingle said, referring to the jobs it will create.

“;This will not just be a collection of buildings. This is about the future of this region,”; Lingle said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “;It's about changing lives.”;

Construction has already started to bring roads, sewer, electricity and water to the campus. The infrastructure work, being paid with $35 million in state funds, coincides with the construction of the new North South Road in Kapolei.

The money is also enough to begin grading and preparation of the site for the new campus near North South Road.

But a private developer pulled out of a $100 million deal that was to fund the actual building construction.

UH-West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni said the university is looking at federal stimulus funds and the sale or lease of commercial land around the campus to raise the rest of the money needed.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, Lingle said she expects UH-West Oahu to find other ways than additional state funds to finish the project.

“;If they're innovative, they're going to attract additional private funding,”; she said.

Awakuni said he believes the money will be raised to complete all five buildings in 2011. But, he added, “;If we can only build one building, we will build one building.”;

UH-West Oahu is also in talks with Tokai University of Japan to share facilities and sell it a lease for state land next to the campus, Awakuni said.

Community leader Maeda Timson, who has pushed for a permanent UH-West Oahu campus for nearly 30 years, said yesterday was a great day for Kapolei. She said too much momentum has built up for UH-West Oahu to not finish it.

“;I feel like I have a plant in my back yard that never bloomed, and today it bloomed,”; Timson said.