More than 30 years ago, North and West Hawaii residents started asking the University of Hawaii and the Legislature to make post-high school education accessible and affordable for residents who lived long distances from Hilo-based college and university options, mirroring those available in Honolulu and East Hawaii.
Those requests were granted. Eventually, residents celebrated construction of a campus at Palamanui above Keahole Airport and a smaller campus called North Hawaii Education and Research Center (NHERC) in Honokaa. Today, both are providing learning opportunities including distance learning connectivity to campuses and programs statewide.
To help the Waimea/North Hawaii community become more familiar with the wide array of programs and services available, and to listen to current-day community needs and priorities, HCC Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas, Ed.D. will be the lead speaker at the Waimea Community Association’s Town Meeting.
The meeting is set 5:15-7 p.m. Thursday in the Waimea School cafeteria.
Solemsaas was appointed HCC chancellor by the UH Regents in 2016. Joining her will be Kalei Haleamau-Kam, the new interim director of the Palamanui campus.
“Chancellor Solemsaas is a powerhouse educator who is totally committed to throwing the doors wide open to the community to improve access and affordability, and to try to meet the needs and dreams of residents across the age and interest spectrum,” said Kathy Damon, a longtime educator and HCC advocate from Waimea.
“She’s asking the hard questions,” Damon continued. “How do we get students to not only get into college but also stay on track and finish their educational goals — to get their degree soonest? How do we look at barriers like cost and work and family schedules and provide options? What are the jobs of tomorrow and how do we help prepare, or re-train people for these jobs?”
Also on the agenda will be a 20-minute briefing by the volunteer chairperson of the Hawaii County Charter Commission, Douglass Adams, about the ongoing charter review.
“Doug’s talk will be about the process, not specific charter issues,” said WCA President Patti Cook. “While the final proposed amendments won’t be on the ballot until November 2020 … the decisions about what will be included will be made very soon.”
The commission will hold a series of six public hearings around the island to give residents an opportunity to comment on specific amendments proposed or that should be considered. Dates for these public hearings are still being finalized but expected to occur in late March and early April.
Waimea/North Hawaii residents serving on the charter review commission this time around include Dr. Billy Bergin and Kit Roehrig. Others on the commission include Michelle Galimba, Paul K. Hamano, Kevin Hopkins, Bobby Jean Leithead Todd, Sally Rice, Donna Mae Springer, Marcia Saquing and Jennifer Leilani Zelko-Schlueter.
Waimea’s County Council members Tim Richards and Val Poindexter will provide an update on county business, and HPD Community Policing Officer Kelena Hookano will provide a public safety report.
WCA’s spotlighted not-for-profit for the February meeting will be Tutu’s House, a popular, well-used health-wellness resources center. Staff member Michelle Medeiros will provide a brief overview of the array of programs and services available, including a now monthly meeting of a Parkinson’s support group.
Attendees will be asked consider making a donation to the spotlighted organization.
Membership is not required to attend WCA town meetings but is encouraged. It’s $15 a year for individuals; $25 a year for families or businesses and is a tax deductible donation to the extent permitted by law. Refreshments will be provided.
WCA will continue to hold monthly town meetings throughout 2019 on the first Thursday of each month except in July, when the meeting will be held Thursday, July 11, to avoid Independence Day celebrations.
For more information, go to www.WaimeaTown.org or www.Facebook.com/WaimeaCommunityAssociation. You may also contact Patti Cook at cookshi@aol.com or by phone at 937-2833.