U. Hawaii-Manoa Chancellor Says Decrepit Facilities Will Hurt Recruitment

Our Shop Talk item on Tuesday discussed major facilities problems at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. This week, Virginia Hinshaw, the new chancellor of the university, brought the subject up at a ceremony honoring her, saying that the university would face difficulty attracting new faculty and serving students if it did not upgrade its buildings, according to The Honolulu Advertiser.

A facilities administrator at Manoa recently said that repairs and upgrades on campus may top $225-million. “Manoa is a jewel in many ways, especially academically. But it is badly tarnished physically,” Ms. Hinshaw said.

Prominent lawmakers and officials — including Gov. Linda Lingle, U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, University of Hawaii system President David McClain, and Board of Regents Chairman Allan Landon — attended the ceremony.