The University of Hawai'i's Board of Regents yesterday selected private developers for more than $150 million in construction — the first phase of a long-awaited West O'ahu campus and new or renovated dormitories for the flagship Manoa campus.

Hunt Building Co. Ltd. was chosen to construct Phase I of the West O'ahu campus, and American Campus Communities will handle construction of three new Manoa dorms.

The decision clears the way for both companies to work with regents and the administration to develop a vision for the university's newest projects. Both projects are in the early stages, and there are no projections on when construction could begin, Jan Yokota, director of capital improvements said yesterday.

With a developer already selected in March for the new Cancer Research Center, the university stands on the verge of one of its most significant building booms in recent years. Together, the three projects will cost more than $400 million.

"We're definitely in a new phase for the university," said Yokota, saying the projects are the first time that private developers will partner with the university on major projects.

"It was difficult to find funding for a large construction project, so the regents wanted to test these kinds of public-private partnerships as a way of getting things financed," said Yokota.

Newly elected regents vice-chairman Alvin Tanaka said he was happy a decision had been reached. "We wanted to be absolutely convinced that the right people were hired for the jobs," he said.

Yesterday's decision puts the university and the Kapolei area on track to realize a dream that began 25 years ago, to create a four-year campus to serve the burgeoning area.

Phase I of the West O'ahu project would cost $120 million and provide space for 1,500 students on 100 acres of a 500-acre state parcel. Phase I is tentatively scheduled to open in fall 2008.

The campus eventually would cover at least 150 acres, with an additional 100 acres held for further expansion and the remaining 200 used for commercial and residential projects.

Regent Jim Haynes said the developer should use discretion when deciding how much land should be sold. "I want to make sure that the shrinking size of campuses does not become an issue down the road," said Haynes.

Regent Ronald Migita said he hopes that the campus will include student and faculty housing. Gean Awakuni, chancellor of UH-West O'ahu, said he had conversations with developers about ways to accommodate it.

The regents also decided on American Campus Communities, a student housing developer from Austin, Texas, as the developer who will rebuild Frear, Gateway and Johnson halls.

The project will add 1,700 beds by 2009, Yokota said. The total project could cost $40 million to $50 million, she said.

"We are willing to work with UH in any way necessary," said William Bayless, president of American Campus Community.

Regent Jane Tatibouet said she hopes the project will improve the perception of Manoa's dorms, which she called a "disgrace." "I want people to look at this decision and say, 'Finally UH has its act together,' " she said.

Newly elected regents chairwoman Kitty Lagareta said yesterday that the board is committed to both projects, and that "that's why we've had this extent of due diligence" in deciding who will handle both projects.

Lagareta recused herself from both decisions yesterday, citing conflicts of interest with developers bidding for the projects.