The long-desired UH-West Oahu campus in Kapolei has finally opened.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20120817_UH_West_Oahu_set_to_open_after_2_years_of_construction_175M.html
photo from Star Advertiser 8/17/2012
UH West Oahu library
UH West Oahu logo
I am happy for the people of West Oahu to finally have a university campus, and no longer have to take soul-sucking long commutes in heavy traffic to UH-Manoa.
Though I have to admit, a decade ago, I wasn't a fan of building the new UH-West Oahu campus. I'm sure the UH-West Oahu students of today and the future would hate me for that, but I have since changed my mind!
This was what I wrote on my blog back in 2004.
In fact, the state doesn't have enough money to open a public library in Kapolei. Yet, people demand that we build a new university in Kapolei with its own libraries, lecture halls, science labs, computer labs, parking lots, campus eateries, and athletic facilities out of the same state budget. Plus, add to the fact that building a West Oahu campus will drain money out of the Manoa campus.
Since then some of those circumstances have changed! When circumstances change, my opinions are flexible enough to change.
For one thing, the public library in Kapolei has been open for years.
For one thing, the public library in Kapolei has been open for years.
I expressed fears that having a UH-West Oahu campus will drain UH-Manoa of badly needed funds (especially for renovations)
Well, the UH-Manoa has many renovations going on now (including the Campus Center expansion, Gartely Hall, Edmonson Hall, Webster Hall) as well as a new IT buidling being built by Bilger Hall. Also, let's not forget that many UH dorms have completed renovations (including Frear Hall, Johnson Hall, Gateway Hall, and Hale Aloha dorms)
Back in 2004, having those buildings renovated was considered fantasy. It's now 2012 reality! :) :) :)
UH-Manoa is doing fine, even with the competition from UH-West Oahu!
In fact, UH-Manoa would now have more room in its dormitories since less West Oahu residents will be using them. There will be less crowds at UH-Manoa too, and more room for East Oahu students, as well as mainland/foreign students who want easy access to Waikiki!
UH-Manoa is doing fine, even with the competition from UH-West Oahu!
In fact, UH-Manoa would now have more room in its dormitories since less West Oahu residents will be using them. There will be less crowds at UH-Manoa too, and more room for East Oahu students, as well as mainland/foreign students who want easy access to Waikiki!
I also said this back in 2004.
While West Oahu people complain about long commutes to the Manoa campus, people from Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai have to uproot their lives and leave their island just to earn a university degree. In fact, the island of Maui has more land space than Oahu, yet it doesn't have a public university there, just a community college.
Since then, the Maui community college campus has started offering bachelor's degree programs. So less Maui residents have to worry about uprooting themselves to get a bachelor's degree.
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West Oahu students will now have access to a university near their home. This will make it especially easier for those in Nanakuli/Waianae who think of Manoa as a "foreign land" since most of them don't spend much time in Honolulu. But they sure spend tons of time traveling to Kapolei, and they have a college closeby they can aspire to attending.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20120817_UH_West_Oahu_set_to_open_after_2_years_of_construction_175M.html
"For nearly 40 years, government has promised the Second City a four-year educational institution," Har said. "For this today to finally come shows that government is finally living up to its promises to the people of West Oahu."
Har joins others on the Ewa plain who believe UH-West O‘ahu will encourage more Hawaii students to attend a four-year university at home because of its cheaper tuition compared with UH's flagship Manoa campus, which costs $4,332 per semester for a full-time resident student.
At UH-West O‘ahu the same student pays only $2,796 per semester.
And with more faculty, staff and students traveling shorter distances — or altering the flow of cars away from town — Har said H-1 traffic likely will improve for everyone.
"The university clearly has an impact on the traffic flow," Har said. "It even has the ability to reverse that flow of traffic."
And what really got me supporting the building of UH-West Oahu was that it will reduce the demand of rail!
Yep, I rather pay for UH-West Oahu than pay for rail!
So, everyone, please forgive me for expressing doubts about the UH-West Oahu campus!
And I wish the students of UH-West Oahu good luck in furthering their education. :)
