Rep. Shimabukuro Obtains $3m for Higher Learning: The Wai`anae Education Center

During the past legislative session, Rep. Shimabukuro obtained $3m for the Leeward Community College-Wai`anae (LCC-W) Education Center. The funds are needed to support LCC-W's goal of owning its own building, thus ending its obligation to pay monthly rent, and increasing the college's autonomy and ability to expand. LCC-W has been renting a small space near Wai`anae Mall throughout its existence.

"Supporting LCC-W will go a long way toward addressing problems like our high teacher turnover by fostering more homegrown teachers and other professionals," said Rep. Shimabukuro, who is a member of LCCW's Community Advisory Board.

"Now it is in the Governor's hands to decide whether or not to release the $3m," Shimabukuro continued. "If the money is not released, the funds could lapse."

Members of the public should call, email, fax, and write the Governor urging her to release the funds immediately. The Governor's contact information is:

The Honorable Linda Lingle
Governor, State of Hawai`i
Executive Chambers
State Capitol
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813

Phone: 808-586-0034
Fax: 808-586-0006

Email: governor.lingle@hawaii.gov

People worldwide may also sign the Petition created by Rep. Shimabukuro. So far 151 people have already signed, and several have made passionate pleas to the Governor. One signer wrote:

"I have built my foundation has a student, mother of five residing in Waianae for 20 years. I am trully blessed for LCC-Waianae. I have always wanted to come back to school. My dream has come true I have been in college since 2007 till this day. I have never been happier for the simple fact I do not have to travel a far distance for majority of my classes. Being the crunch times with cars and traffic along Farrington Hwy attending LCC-Waianae has made my schooling much simplier. I am hoping before the time I need to transfer there will be more classes avail. or even another stucture to hold more classes for people like me who finds LCC-Waianae home. I really love our campus at Waianae. we all need to stand together and Malama our Hale for college Education."

-- Florence Kealawailukini Eli-Adams

To sign the Petition, contact Rep. Shimabukuro, LCC-W, or go to this link:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/urge-governor-to-release-3m-for-lcc-waianae

Leeward Community College-Wai`anae, established in 1972 as part of Leeward Community College, collaborates with several Community Partners, such as MA`O Farms Youth Leadership Program and Community Supported Agriculture, Wai`anae Health Academy, and Ka Lama Education Academy.

LCC-W offers a variety of first and second year college credit classes in liberal arts, education, business, and career and technical areas. Students can complete an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree entirely at the Wai`anae campus. It offers the advantage of being close to home for Waianae Coast residents, with small class sizes, friendly and helpful staff, and caring, competent, and knowledgeable instructors and counselors.

For more information about Leeward Community College-Wai`anae, call 696-6378 or visit their website at http://www.lcc.hawaii.edu/lccw.