Hawaii 24/7 Staff

A public forum to discuss higher education in West Hawaii is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria.

The forum is open to the West Hawaii community. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and share their vision for Hawaii Community College – Palamanui, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2015.

University of Hawaii President David Lassner and Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton will participate in the forum. They will share details about the University of Hawaii’s current presence in West Hawaii, as well as plans for the future.

Also expected to attend are UH Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney and West Hawaii’s head of the community college, Marty Fletcher, and Hawaii Community College chancellor Noreen Yamane.

Peter Hoffmann, a West Hawaii resident and a member of the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents, is convening the meeting.

Hoffmann said, “I am very pleased that the community has this opportunity to discuss higher education possibilities with President Lassner and to become better aware of the great potential that the opening of Pālamanui will have for the residents of West Hawaii.”

UH President David Lassner said, “We look forward to the opening of Hawaii Community College – Pālamanui and the opportunities this will provide residents as a gateway to the statewide University of Hawaii System.”

Recently, Lassner said there is no plan for the Palamanui Community College to be either a two- or a four-year accredited institution.

If you have questions you wish to submit in advance, send them to moderator Sherry Bracken, preferably by Wednesday night, at jbkslb@kona.net