Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Aloha Chair Buchanan and Commission members:
I would like to submit testimony in full support of UH Maui College, Molokai Education Center expansion. As a University of Hawaii system graduate, I understand the value of education. As a member of this community, I feel that this expansion will be beneficial to Molokai as it will allow for more services, tools, and opportunities for our community to succeed without the need to leave the island. The wellbeing and the future of Molokai lies in the hands of upcoming generations. I strongly believe that this expansion will help us with our mission: E hoonaauao honua oiai ma ka hale, to provide a world of knowledge here at home. I urge this committee to support and approve the bills before you.
Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Aloha Chair Buchanan and Commission members:
I fully support the UH Maui College-Molokai expansion.
As the Academic Counselor at the Molokai Education Center, the expansion will be of benefit to not just students but the Molokai community.
Currently, we are limited to the type of credit courses we are able to provide our students due to unavailable rooms, room size, and lack of equipment. A majority of students prefer in-person instruction and while distance learning courses are available, it is very often not the best learning modality for students. Our facility is also used by Molokai residents taking courses at other community colleges for test proctoring and assistance to access resources. Our residents also are students at all 3 University of Hawaii institutions to complete bachelor program degrees. Our non-credit offerings have become increasingly popular in our community and many of these will be offered again to meet requests and demands. Credit and non-credit courses compete for rooms and scheduling can be quite challenging when trying to offer them at times preferred by our community.
The larger space that is planned will also offer an alternative venue site for community use. Wanting to be good neighbors, the ability to provide another venue site will likely will be welcomed. Every summer, Kamehameha Schools provides summer school for their students at the Molokai Education Center. In addition, our state agencies as well as businesses utilize our facility for distance meetings and to conduct training for their workers. Having a larger facility may allow these entities to use our facility for large activities.
The District Boundary Amendment and Zoning Change in Zoning is critical to the expansion of the college. I humbly ask for your support to consider and approve the bills before you.
Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Dear Chair Buchanan and Commission Members:
I am in full support of the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Molokai Education Center expansion.
The expansion of the University of Hawaii-Maui College, Molokai campus will provide many benefits to the students and the community at large on Molokai. This expansion will allow UHMC Molokai to expand services to more students and providing our youth with the tools necessary to succeed on Molokai. This will strengthen our community by creating accomplished Social Workers, Medical Students, gainful employment opportunities in the area of culinary arts or education, and allowing our youth to be proud of this island they call home.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony in support of the Molokai Education Center expansion, which will help the entire Molokai community, many native Hawaiians, and multiple generations to come.
Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Dear Chair Buchanan and Commission Members:
I would like to submit testimony in full support of the expansion of the UH Maui College Molokai. I believe some important history regarding the project will provide context for your committee in its review:
1. In 1990, Dr. Richard Kosaki wrote A Statewide System and Beyond, a study of all University of Hawaii sites. He wrote that of all sites visited, Molokai was the worst and recommended that a central location for a permanent college be identified.
2. In 1993, The current site of the Molokai Education Center was chosen by UH from 10 potential locations with these parameters: find 3-5 acres to start with an equal amount of land for expansion. The 15-acre cornfield site east of Kaunakakai was deemed the most desirable for its location, expansion possibility, public use, and community benefit.
3. The land was owned by Molokai Ranch. The first five acres along the road was separated into 2 parcels due to SMA and other requirements. The project was also then separated into 2 phases with Phase 1 to be built on 2-acres and Phase 2 on 3-acres.
4. Since 1994, all Molokai Community Plans (including the 2018 Molokai Island Community Plan) have recommended 15 acres for the Molokai Education Center at this location.
5. On August 19,1999, the current facility opened on the 2-acre parcel which was donated by Molokai Ranch. The UH-Molokai Ranch agreement stated that the College would have a first right of refusal to purchase the 3-acres at market value.
6. The College purchased the 3-acre parcel on August 8, 2012.
7. Now in August of 2021, the project is requesting the District Boundary Amendment and Zoning Change to move forward.
The expansion of the College is not a new or controversial project. In fact, it is simply Phase 2 of the original plans which were envisioned by the Molokai community, the faculty, and its staff over 30 years ago. I urge this committee to approve and support both bills before you.
Lori Buchanan, Chari
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Dear Chair Buchanan and Commission Members:
I am in full support of the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Molokai Education Center expansion. I understand that a District Boundary Amendment, a Change in Zoning, and a Special Management Area Use Permit are necessary for the expansion to move forward and I am in support of these land use designation changes.
The expansion of the UHMC Molokai campus will provide many benefits to the students and the community at large on Molokai. This expansion will allow UHMC Molokai to serve more students thus providing our youth (and anyone who wants to learn) with the tools and skills necessary to succeed on our island, or wherever they desire to reside. This strengthens Mokolai by creating accomplished workers, gainful employment opportunities, and allowing our youth to give back to the island.
The expansion will also enable UHMC Molokai to add more degree programs, certificates, and non-credit programs.
As learning, technology, and jobs evolve, it is necessary that UHMC Molokai keep pace with the changing world to provide our next generation with quality learning spaces, increased educational opportunities. and the skills needed to meet current and future trends.
Having attended the Molokai Community College… for courses and workshop and taught for over 20 years at the Molokai college facilities, it is a valuable resource. I see the change in students as they seek new lives and skills through education. The college services both credit and non credit. Today individuals are learning the Hawaiian language in non-credit and credit programs. People are developing new professions with solar installation and construction skills. Some students are now instructors at the college.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony in support of the Molokai Education Center expansion, which will help the entire Molokai community, many native Hawaiians, and multiple generations to come.
Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Aloha Chair Buchanan and Commission members:
I would like to submit testimony in full support of UH Maui College, Molokai Education Center expansion. As a University of Hawaii system graduate, I understand the value of education. As a member of this community, I feel that this expansion will be beneficial to Molokai as it will allow for more services, tools, and opportunities for our community to succeed without the need to leave the island. The wellbeing and the future of Molokai lies in the hands of upcoming generations. I strongly believe that this expansion will help us with our mission: E hoonaauao honua oiai ma ka hale, to provide a world of knowledge here at home. I urge this committee to support and approve the bills before you.
Mahalo,
Pualei Lima
Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Aloha Chair Buchanan and Commission members:
I fully support the UH Maui College-Molokai expansion.
As the Academic Counselor at the Molokai Education Center, the expansion will be of benefit to not just students but the Molokai community.
Currently, we are limited to the type of credit courses we are able to provide our students due to unavailable rooms, room size, and lack of equipment. A majority of students prefer in-person instruction and while distance learning courses are available, it is very often not the best learning modality for students. Our facility is also used by Molokai residents taking courses at other community colleges for test proctoring and assistance to access resources. Our residents also are students at all 3 University of Hawaii institutions to complete bachelor program degrees. Our non-credit offerings have become increasingly popular in our community and many of these will be offered again to meet requests and demands. Credit and non-credit courses compete for rooms and scheduling can be quite challenging when trying to offer them at times preferred by our community.
The larger space that is planned will also offer an alternative venue site for community use. Wanting to be good neighbors, the ability to provide another venue site will likely will be welcomed. Every summer, Kamehameha Schools provides summer school for their students at the Molokai Education Center. In addition, our state agencies as well as businesses utilize our facility for distance meetings and to conduct training for their workers. Having a larger facility may allow these entities to use our facility for large activities.
The District Boundary Amendment and Zoning Change in Zoning is critical to the expansion of the college. I humbly ask for your support to consider and approve the bills before you.
Mahalo Nui,
Susan Nartatez
Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Dear Chair Buchanan and Commission Members:
I am in full support of the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Molokai Education Center expansion.
The expansion of the University of Hawaii-Maui College, Molokai campus will provide many benefits to the students and the community at large on Molokai. This expansion will allow UHMC Molokai to expand services to more students and providing our youth with the tools necessary to succeed on Molokai. This will strengthen our community by creating accomplished Social Workers, Medical Students, gainful employment opportunities in the area of culinary arts or education, and allowing our youth to be proud of this island they call home.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony in support of the Molokai Education Center expansion, which will help the entire Molokai community, many native Hawaiians, and multiple generations to come.
Mahalo Nui,
Brent Keliiokamalu Nakihei
Lori Buchanan, Chair
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Dear Chair Buchanan and Commission Members:
I would like to submit testimony in full support of the expansion of the UH Maui College Molokai. I believe some important history regarding the project will provide context for your committee in its review:
1. In 1990, Dr. Richard Kosaki wrote A Statewide System and Beyond, a study of all University of Hawaii sites. He wrote that of all sites visited, Molokai was the worst and recommended that a central location for a permanent college be identified.
2. In 1993, The current site of the Molokai Education Center was chosen by UH from 10 potential locations with these parameters: find 3-5 acres to start with an equal amount of land for expansion. The 15-acre cornfield site east of Kaunakakai was deemed the most desirable for its location, expansion possibility, public use, and community benefit.
3. The land was owned by Molokai Ranch. The first five acres along the road was separated into 2 parcels due to SMA and other requirements. The project was also then separated into 2 phases with Phase 1 to be built on 2-acres and Phase 2 on 3-acres.
4. Since 1994, all Molokai Community Plans (including the 2018 Molokai Island Community Plan) have recommended 15 acres for the Molokai Education Center at this location.
5. On August 19,1999, the current facility opened on the 2-acre parcel which was donated by Molokai Ranch. The UH-Molokai Ranch agreement stated that the College would have a first right of refusal to purchase the 3-acres at market value.
6. The College purchased the 3-acre parcel on August 8, 2012.
7. Now in August of 2021, the project is requesting the District Boundary Amendment and Zoning Change to move forward.
The expansion of the College is not a new or controversial project. In fact, it is simply Phase 2 of the original plans which were envisioned by the Molokai community, the faculty, and its staff over 30 years ago. I urge this committee to approve and support both bills before you.
Mahalo and aloha,
Donna Haytko-Paoa
Lori Buchanan, Chari
Molokai Planning Commission
mailto:planning@mauicounty.gov
Subject: Molokai Education Center Expansion
Dear Chair Buchanan and Commission Members:
I am in full support of the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Molokai Education Center expansion. I understand that a District Boundary Amendment, a Change in Zoning, and a Special Management Area Use Permit are necessary for the expansion to move forward and I am in support of these land use designation changes.
The expansion of the UHMC Molokai campus will provide many benefits to the students and the community at large on Molokai. This expansion will allow UHMC Molokai to serve more students thus providing our youth (and anyone who wants to learn) with the tools and skills necessary to succeed on our island, or wherever they desire to reside. This strengthens Mokolai by creating accomplished workers, gainful employment opportunities, and allowing our youth to give back to the island.
The expansion will also enable UHMC Molokai to add more degree programs, certificates, and non-credit programs.
As learning, technology, and jobs evolve, it is necessary that UHMC Molokai keep pace with the changing world to provide our next generation with quality learning spaces, increased educational opportunities. and the skills needed to meet current and future trends.
Having attended the Molokai Community College… for courses and workshop and taught for over 20 years at the Molokai college facilities, it is a valuable resource. I see the change in students as they seek new lives and skills through education. The college services both credit and non credit. Today individuals are learning the Hawaiian language in non-credit and credit programs. People are developing new professions with solar installation and construction skills. Some students are now instructors at the college.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony in support of the Molokai Education Center expansion, which will help the entire Molokai community, many native Hawaiians, and multiple generations to come.
Aloha,
Cheryl Corbiell