Price of UH dormitory meal plans to increase in fall

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Rising food prices at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa will push the cost of dorm meal plans 4 to 6 percent higher beginning this fall.

The increase will add $37 to $67 per semester to meal plans. The minimal plan, which now costs $728 a semester, will cost $765. The most extensive meal plan will rise from $1,116 to $1,183.

The increase affects about 1,400 dorm students, said Susan Fukushima, operations director for Sodexho, the food service contractor at the campus.

While many dorm students hadn't heard about the increases, the news didn't generate undue concern.

For 18-year-old freshman Drew Kadokawa, any rise in costs will be more than offset by the $2.5 million in renovations under way in the cafeteria that serves all dorms. A food court is planned, with international, Pacific island and "home" cooking, along with pizza, in a more intimate setting that also will provide Internet access at the tables.

"I'm sure the food's going to get a lot better," said Kadokawa.

While the Housing Office, not Sodexho, is paying for the renovations, the menus will be substantially updated and modernized, said UH housing director Darryl Zehner.

The newly rebuilt cafeteria will open in the fall, at the same time the food price increases go into effect, said Zehner.

Fukushima said these latest price increases follow the same pattern as in the past, when prices were increased every two years to keep up with rising costs. This time they're necessitated by rising food costs as well as higher pay and benefit costs for Sodexho employees, she said.

"We haven't had any increases since 2000," Fukushima said.

Prices of some products at campus convenience stores and at the Stan Sheriff Center will also rise.

Staying the same are all entrees at campus eating outlets, as well as items at Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and the Espresso cart.

That's a relief for 19-year-old pre-med student Robin Yamaguma, originally from Maui. "Starbucks coffee, that's an everyday thing for me," she said. But she uses part of her dorm meal plan for her coffee purchases so there's no additional expense for her.

The price increases are also a reflection of the rise in the state's minimum wage from $5.25 an hour to $5.75 last January, and a second increase that is coming next January to $6.25, said Fukushima.

The cost of health benefits for Sodexho employees recently increased as well, she said.

The food cost increases were approved by the Food Service Committee, which includes faculty, students, administrators and staff.

"They thought ... the increases were reasonable," said Fukushima.