New Federal Funding Advances Cancer Research Center Closer to Reality
(Winter 2005)

Through the efforts of Hawai‘i’s senior statesman, Senator Daniel Inouye, $18.5 million was appropriated in 2004 for a new Cancer Research Center facility. In December the most recent appropriation of $10 million was signed into law by Congress through the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for the planning and design of the new Cancer Research Center. The Center will combine cutting-edge research with clinical treatment focused on a culturally diverse patient base. When added to the $8.5 million already enacted into law for the Cancer Center’s new partnership with Tripler Army Medical Center, the total is $18.5 million in federal support for this important investment in cancer research and clinical care for Hawai‘i.

“ Senator Inouye and our other congressional members have long been aware of the Cancer Research Center’s dire need for a new facility to develop and expand our cancer research activities,” states Dr. Carl-Wilhelm Vogel, Center Director. “We’re very fortunate to have such a strong advocate and leader in Senator Inouye as he helps the Center acquire the necessary funding to realize our long-awaited new facility, where we can continue to conduct high quality research and patient care,” he adds.

This new federal appropriation falls in line with the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents’ approval in November 2004 and the subsequent UH issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from developers in Hawai‘i and across the nation who might be interested in planning, designing, financing, constructing, and managing the new cancer research center facility in Kaka‘ako. The UH announced in early January of this year that it received an overwhelming response from 14 interested firms from Hawaii and the mainland, many of which are highly qualified and experienced in designing and developing major health facilities throughout the country including prominent cancer research centers. The developers will be evaluated and a few of them will be invited to submit a full development and financial proposal in the next phase of the selection process.