UH Hilo Press Release
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Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Contact: Gerald DeMello, (808) 974-7567
For Immediate Release
NASA-Ames gives ‘go-ahead’ to MKAEC project
Architect’s rendering of the elevation of the titanium clad Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center.
NASA-Ames Research Center recently completed the technical review of the 30 percent architectural design for the University of Hawai`i at Hilo Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center (MKAEC) project and gave the green light to move forward with its completion. The revised $14 million architectural design-build component is one of the many parts that will coalesce in this estimated $28 million facility.
“Given the unforeseen $6.4 million budget cut in the current fiscal year from the federal educational earmarks, some of the elements of the project are being scaled back while others deferred until a firm commitment on funding is secured,” said Project Director George Jacob. “The cutbacks have affected the scale of the building, scope of exhibit treatment and the configuration of the planetarium equipment. The University is in the process of exploring other State, corporate and private sources of funding.”
The fully bilingual (English/Hawaiian) 49,000-square-foot MKAEC, which will include a tilted-dome planetarium, is slated to open its doors to the public in 2005. It will showcase the coming together of the science of astronomy and elements of Hawaiian culture in a compelling story of human exploration.
“The team of Taisei Construction Corp and Durrant-Media Five is a capable one and we are encouraged by their ability to juggle exciting design and fiscal awareness,” commented MKAEC Construction Manager Bill DeMent.
“We are glad to be steering the architectural elements of this unique Center,” said Melvin Choy, the principal architect from Durrant-Media Five of Honolulu, sub-contractor to Taisei Construction Corp. “Taisei is working hard to bring the vision of MKAEC to fruition by using the best construction technology and offering the best value possible,” added Taisei Project Director Benett Bolek.
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