PBS Hawaii hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 10 on the site of its future home in Kalihi, Oahu. Construction of The Clarence T.C. Ching Campus–located at 315 Sand Island Access Road–is expected to be completed in early 2016.
The existing one-story structure is being renovated and expanded to include a second story. It will house a main television studio; an emergency broadcast enter; and a Media Innovation Center for young journalists in the station’s flagship statewide student news initiative, HIKI NŌ.
“This will be a 21st-century building for a 21st-century Hawaii,” said Leslie Wilcox, PBS Hawaii President and CEO. “Our team has spent a great deal of time on the technology design…which will further help us create, communicate and collaborate.”
HIKI NŌ graduates Shisa Kahaunaele and Victoria Cuba, both now college students, were in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony. Kahaunaele and Cuba both say their lives have dramatically changed because of the community’s investment in HIKI NŌ, which promotes modern workforce and life skills. “This [will be] a new home, a permanent home for PBS Hawaii to nurture more young people like myself,” Kahaunaele said.
General contractor Allied Builders System, which is locally-owned and operated, is overseeing the project, with Group 70 International as architect. Allied will work with Atlanta-based media integration firm TI Broadcast Solutions Group for the project’s specialized technology aspects.
The public television station, which is on an expiring lease with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, has successfully raised more than 75 percent of its $30 million capital campaign goal. PBS Hawaii continues to accept contributions online at PBSHawaii.org/newhome, or at 808-955-0500.
Photo courtesy PBS Hawaii
Comments
comments