The public is invited to join the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s North Hawaii Education and Research Center in celebrating 10 years of serving the North Hawaii community. ADVERTISING The public is invited to join the University of Hawaii at
The public is invited to join the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s North Hawaii Education and Research Center in celebrating 10 years of serving the North Hawaii community.
The 10-year anniversary celebration will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 7 at NHERC, 45-539 Plumeria St. in Honokaa.
“It will be a day to celebrate the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s presence in North Hawaii as well as giving thanks to the Hamakua community for their ongoing support of NHERC’s mission,” said Julie Mowrer, NHERC’s acting director.
There will be food, live music with local musicians Ryan Hiraoka, Ryan Higgins and the Honokaa Seniors, face painting, balloons and fun games for the keiki, Mowrer said. There also will be a sneak peek at the progress made on the long-term exhibit at the Heritage Center, and a silent auction to raise funds for student scholarships and the Heritage Center.
The celebration also will feature meet and greets with university and community leaders beginning at 11 a.m.
The North Hawaii Education and Research Center was established in 2006 as a crucial component of establishing a higher education presence in North Hawaii. It was developed as a community-driven initiative that strives to meet the future challenges of Hawaii’s economy in the 21st century while at the same time preserving the unique and rich history of North Hawaii communities.
Since opening, NHERC has had more than 500 students enroll in university classes in Honokaa, allowing greater accessibility for students to gain a college education. In addition, with the Heritage Center opening in 2011, NHERC has shared the history of the Hamakua community with more than 4,500 people, ranging from local schoolchildren to international visitors.
In 2016, 10 years after NHERC’s opening, the staff and faculty continue to work in collaboration with the community to meet its future needs while at the same time preserving the area’s important history.
For more information, visit hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/nherc.
