Chancellor’s Message

Chamber Connection

May 2007

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is growing quickly. Not long ago, UH Hilo was a small liberal arts campus on a few acres. Now, we are a comprehensive university excelling in liberal arts, professional degrees and applied research with room to grow to 700 acres.

We are transforming and expanding our campus to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. We’ve built the first laboratory and classroom buildings in 20 years, upgraded campus-wide communication and Internet systems, constructed sheltered walkways throughout campus, and created an open-air plaza for public and university events.

Capital improvement projects in planning and development stages are the Science and Technology Building, Student Life and Events Center, College of Pharmacy, and College of Hawaiian Language. The Mookini Library, which serves UH Hilo, Hawai‘i Community College and the general public, is undergoing extensive renovations.

UH Hilo’s University Park of Science and Technology, located adjacent to our main campus, houses multinational astronomy facilities, USDA research centers serving the entire Pacific region, and UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i. The total investment of tenants is $800 million with creation of over 400 jobs.

UH Hilo outreach includes the Hawai‘i Innovation Center in downtown Hilo, the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center at Hilo Bay, and the North Hawai‘i Education and Research Center in Honoka‘a—all centers of inspiration, innovation and socio-economic advancement.

UH Hilo gives students access to the best possible resources to prepare for professional careers or further education. Graduates are ready to contribute to their communities, compete in the global marketplace, or continue on to advanced degrees.

Many of you in the Chamber support our efforts during the Legislative Session by giving testimony and meeting with legislators to talk story about ways to strengthen UH Hilo. Thank you for your hard work. When we all work together, great things can happen!

Mahalo and Aloha.