Inflation has come down from last year’s soaring heights, but colleges are still feeling the effects of supply chain issues and labor shortages that keep construction costs high. Last year inflation soared to near-historic highs, prompting colleges to raise tuition or make cuts as they dealt with rising operational costs. Now inflation has leveled off, but the higher education sector is still being squeezed by the lingering effects of elevated costs and ongoing supply chain issues.
The state senator behind several bills designed to overhaul operations at the University of Hawai‘i has a long and contentious history with the institution and no shortage of opponents.
Lawmakers representing areas near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam highlighted relief plans to help families dealing with tainted water. Hundreds of military housing residents and area schools have reported fuel-like or chemical odors coming from the Navy water distribution system.