UH poll finds strong support for new medical school
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer
People want a new medical school and think education is the most important issue facing the state.
But they resoundingly reject the idea of building a new football stadium.
An opinion poll recently commissioned by the University of Hawai'i shows that state residents place a high priority on education and have a more favorable opinion of the UH system than they do of state government.
A large majority of people also support UH's goal of creating a film school, offering four-year degrees at the community colleges and increasing the commitment to research and international education.
Most people — 61 percent — also said they think the UH system is underfunded.
John Gorman, president of Opinion Dynamics of Cambridge, Mass., the firm that conducted the poll, said there is a connection between the 54 percent rate of dissatisfaction with state government and the belief that education is underfinanced.
"I don't think there's been a state poll in any state where education wasn't the first or second issue," Gorman said. "The concern about education has been pretty overwhelming. I think maybe the level in Hawai'i is a little higher."
Of the people polled, 40 percent said education is the single most important issue facing the state; 13 percent said the economy is the top issue.
In most people's minds, those two things are linked, Gorman said.
"Education is now seen as intrinsic to the economy. Education is how you develop the economy, how you get the good jobs," Gorman said. "I think that's reflected everywhere. Education isn't the great books, it's the great jobs."
The events of Sept. 11 are unlikely to have changed much of the poll findings, Gorman said. While issues of security and terrorism are clearly at the top of national polls, state residents would likely still want the economy and education to be top concerns for their local government, he said.
The poll was conducted Sept. 7-10 to help UH assign priorities to fund-raising goals; 600 Hawai'i residents were questioned.
The school has not started a major campaign since a $100 million initiative ended in June, but is starting to develop one.
"It tells us where our priorities are," said UH President Evan Dobelle. "People have long looked at the University of Hawai'i and seen potential. What's different now is that they look at the university and see priority."
The poll also is likely to be used by UH during the special session of the Legislature this month. Gov. Ben Caytetano is pushing a $1 billion construction-spending plan to help boost Hawai'i's economy.
The University of Hawai'i has proposed a $700 million capital improvement plan that would include a medical complex in Kaka'ako, a permanent West O'ahu campus in Kapolei's business area, and maintenance and construction projects on all 10 campuses.
This was the first major public opinion poll conducted by UH since the proposal for autonomy appeared on state ballots in 2000. Many of the questions on the poll dealt with Dobelle's vision for the future of the university, which he announced shortly after arriving at UH in July.
Complete results of the poll will be presented to the Board of Regents at its Oct. 19 meeting in Hilo.
The poll results showed:
• 85 percent favor a new medical school and biotechnology center.
• 80 percent want the community colleges to offer four-year degrees and increase UH's commitment to international education and research.
• 78 percent had a favorable opinion of UH; 8 percent had an unfavorable opinion.
• 77 percent want a higher-quality liberal arts college within Manoa.
• 70 percent want to create a maritime academy.
• 69 percent want to have high-quality campuses at several locations in the state; 24 percent want to concentrate on one really good campus at Manoa.
• 69 percent want the Hawaiian studies programs expanded.
• 67 percent want UH to strengthen the sports programs to be more competitive
• 61 percent want to strengthen the US-China research and education center at UH-Hilo.
• 60 percent oppose the idea of a new football stadium.
• 26 percent on Maui, 39 percent on the Big Island, 28 percent on O'ahu and 27 percent on Kaua'i think the UH system distributes resources unfairly among its campuses.
Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
