Governor Releases $1.7 Million for East-West Center Campus Improvements
Press Release
Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of $1.7 million in capital improvement grant funds for critical repairs and upgrades to the East-West Center campus. In addition, the U.S. Department of State has committed a matching federal grant that will double the value of the funds appropriated by the State of Hawaii.
Identified by the state Legislature, these funds will go toward needed improvements at the center's Imin Conference Center at Jefferson Hall, John A. Burns Hall, Hale Manoa, Hale Kuahine and Lincoln Hall. In addition, this grant will be used to install a "smart" irrigation control system on eight acres of the center's campus.
"Preserving and improving such a valuable resource center will fortify Hawaii's position as the anchor of the Pacific," Gov. Abercrombie said. "Promoting better relations between our neighboring people and nations and ourselves will brighten our future culturally and economically."
The purpose of the project is to help preserve one of the state's most widely recognized architectural landmarks, and to support the physical operations of this internationally known educational institution that enhances the role of Hawaii as an important gateway between East and West, a hub of international dialogue and thought, and a uniquely positioned venue for international meetings. Each year, the center attracts hundreds of international students, educators, diplomats, journalists, government leaders, and other professionals to Hawaii - and shares their expertise with the community through dozens of public lectures and seminars, conferences, art exhibitions, performances and more.
For more than 50 years, the East-West Center has been promoting better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the United States Congress in 1960, and incorporated by the State of Hawaii in 1975, the center is a non-profit public corporation that serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern in the Asia Pacific region, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.
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