Mid-Pac plans tech center

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mid-Pacific Institute has announced plans to build a $12 million mathematics, science and technology complex at its Manoa campus.

The learning center will include classrooms for math, science and technology; a computer center; a digital video studio; a distance learning center to allow students to communicate with others around the world; a biotechnology area for aquaculture, agriculture and health issues; and meeting rooms with video-conferencing capabilities. Construction is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

Mid-Pacific board chairman James Bell said there are only five other similar integrated technology centers in the country.

"The complex will be much more than steel, glass and concrete," Bell said. "It will be brought to life with the vision and enthusiasm of or faculty and students as a resource not only for Mid-Pacific, but for the entire community as well."

The school has raised more than $7.5 million of the $12 million needed to build the center. Donations include a $2 million gift and $1 million contributions from the Atherton Family Foundation and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.

Other significant donations include more than $500,000 each from Masaichi Imoto, and Bert and Susan Kobayashi; $100,000 each from Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Foundation, Donald C.W. and Iris Kim; the Strong Foundation; Frank H. Watasi; and the G.N. Wilcox Trust.

Mid-Pacific is a private, college-preparatory school for grades 6 through 12. The school has an enrollment of 1,028 and 84 faculty.