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The University of Hawaii at Hilo has asked the Legislature for $36 million to build more on-campus student housing.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday that enrollment at the university has grown 17 percent in the last five years. No on-campus housing has been added since 1989.
Enrollment is 4,000, with only 600 beds available for on-campus living. University officials say student demand for housing exceeds the university’s capacity by at least 1,200 beds.
Administrators have attempted to address the housing shortage by forging agreements with four separate off-campus apartment and hotel operators. However, a tight housing market and a lack of public transportation limits off-campus housing options.
