West Oahu has waited 35 years for a new University of Hawaii campus, and soon that wait will be over.
"Not only residents of the west side but the entire UH system are excited about what's coming up and we plan to open august 2012, right around the corner," said Gene Awakuni, UH West Oahu Chancellor.
The UH west Oahu Kapolei campus is wrapping up construction and school officials gave a preview of what's in store for future students at a town hall meeting Wednesday night.
"That's why we're here, to find out what's being offered," said Danielle Swenson, Makakilo resident.
Swenson is hoping her daughter will be one of the first accepted at the new campus. And predicts that her family is not alone.
"I "think so, everyone will come out of the woodworks for this," she laughed.
The University has also started a school campaign called "West is Best" to encourage enrollment.
"We have 125 freshman and we expect that to double at the new campus," says Susan Nishida, UH West Oahu Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
The West Oahu Kapolei campus will offer degrees and certification programs including accounting, early childhood education, Hawaiian-pacific studies, marketing, philosophy and information technology.
"A lot of degrees will have practical value and once you get out you can get a job," said Awakuni.
Along with classrooms, the campus will house several labs, a 60,000 square foot resource center, library and campus center with a dining complex, bank and café.
"Initially it can get up to 3,800 students in phase 1," said Awakuni.
He says the campus plans to expand in the next 5-10 years with phase 2 & 3 to 7,600 students and 600 faculty and staff.
The new campus will partner with sister campuses to offer intramural sports - and the University is reviewing the future possibility of Division 2 and 3 sports teams.
"I'm excited and hoping more jobs are created through this and we get to have our kids go to this school over here, this is wonderful," said Swenson.
UH West Oahu Oahu plans to begin taking enrollment applications at the Kapolei campus for next fall by December.
