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News KaLa • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai‘i
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March 2011
KaLa Ka La is the campus newspaper of Honolulu Community College. Ka La publishes 2,000 copies every month during the Spring and Fall Semesters. Ka La and all campus publications are funded by student publication fees and advertising. All materials published in Ka La may not be reproduced or reused without permission of the HCC Student Media Board. Ka La is published under the supervision of the HCC Student Media Board: Chairperson Julia Ching Publications Director Camille Agojo Radio/Broadcast Director Joel Chasteen Ka La Editor Jennifer Kakio TheKala.net editor James Rodden Faculty Advisers Emily Kukulies Mike Leidemann
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Marcch 2011
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The preferred plan developed for Honolulu Community College in years to come envisions high-rise parking garages on either end of the campus, a large central gathering place near where the keiki center is now, and a major entry way and transit stop at the corner of Dillingham Boulevard and Kokea Street.
Plan: Will guide development for years from Page 1
spaces between structures; one of them would fill the gap between what will be the rail station at Kokea Street and a newly constructed classroom complex. One function of the plan is to integrate rail transit into campus life. Vice Chancellor Ken Kato calls the effects of rail on HCC’s future development “far reaching.” The plazas are part of the plan’s focus on providing community space where students can meet and interact. This emphasis isn’t unique to HCC’s master plan. In August 2010, Kapiolani Community College’s Iliahi complex opened after a year of renovations designed to get students to gather and socialize. The company contracted to write HCC’s LRDP held four community workshops over the yearlong development period, which began in early
Campus needs and desires
Throughout planning interviews, workshops and surveys, these were common wants and needs expressed by members of the HonoluluCC community:
• Our campus needs a ‘heart.’ • Locate parking at the periphery of the campus. • Design a prominent campus entry. • Create a variety of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. • Building layout needs to be coherent and architectural style needs to be consistent. • Design greater integration between architecture and landscape. • Create areas to showcase and highlight student work. • Expand food service and retail options.
2010. The plan was done by Helber Hastert & Fee Planners Incorporated, the same company contracted to draft Maui Community College’s LRDP. This kind of planning comes at a price. Kato says it cost approximately $249,000. Kato thinks the product is worth it. “It’s something the campus needed to do,” Kato said. The Board of Regents scheduled its February 24th meeting to be at HCC, where administration wanted to present the LDRP to the board. Kato says the formal draft wasn't ready in time, but
that a group of consultants updated the regents on HCC’s progress. HCC’s plan mentions the possibility of adding dorm rooms, a profit booster for HCC. Residential housing would be built above two planned parking structures. Reinholz likes the idea. “It’s a good idea for people who live on the other side of the island,” he said. Kato can’t guarantee HCC will look entirely like the LDRP’s preferred plan in 20 years, but he’s determined to see some of the changes during his career. “A new sci-
ence building,” Kato said, “will make HCC a better campus.” Kato thinks there is a mismatch between the quality of HCC’s science instructors and the quality of our facilities, saying “instructors do the best they can with what they have.” According to Kato, the Honolulu City Council has approved HCC’s plans for the new science and technology building, but ground breaking might be some years away. “When we get the money,” Kato says, “we will proceed.” HCC is known by some as the quintessential commuter campus, but efforts are already under way to entice students to spend more time here. Reinholz knows he will graduate before changes begin. If even some of the ideas in the long range plan come into being, HCC is sure to have a more attractive and welcoming feel at least for future generations.