"The demand for registered nurses in Hawai'i is expected to increase significantly over the next 15 years," Lingle said in a state-issued news release. "This project will deliver facilities quickly, so that as community colleges across the state begin to expand their programs to meet this demand, they will have the extra capacity they need."

The average age of registered nurses in Hawai'i is 49, underscoring the need to train additional nurses to replace those who are retiring or will be retiring soon. Hawai'i's long-term-care facilities also face a shortage of licensed practical nurses.

The project will provide temporary facilities with classrooms, nursing labs, observation rooms and faculty offices to handle the increases in enrollment that are anticipated as community college nursing programs expand.

Hawai'i Community College has received $233,000 for design and $2.16 million for the construction of temporary facilities for both of its nursing programs: one located on the Manono Campus in Hilo and the other at Kona Community Hospital. The other campuses have each been allocated $144,000 for design and $1.3 million for construction.