Higher education has come to rural North Hawai'i with this week's opening of the University of Hawai'i-Hilo's North Hawai'i Education and Research Center in the old Honoka'a Hospital.

The center will offer credit and noncredit programs to college and advanced-placement high school students, adult learners, trade union members, senior citizens and displaced sugar workers. Programs include job training, agriculture extension support services and computer classes.

Honoka'a Business Association President Lois Keb said in an announcement of the center's opening that residents will no longer have to choose between a rural lifestyle and higher education. Keb said the center also is expected to bring economic benefits through increased visitors, special events and conferences.

The North Hawai'i region includes the sugar and ranching communities of Laupahoehoe, Honoka'a, Waimea, Kohala and Waikoloa. UH officials said these areas have been underserved in higher education but are rich in research, field studies and internship opportunities in areas of rural health and nursing, agriculture, Hawaiian history, performing arts, and natural and social sciences.

Corinne Tamashiro, interim dean of the UH-Hilo College of Continuing Education and Community Service, said in an announcement that the North Hawai'i Education and Research Center will be an effective vehicle for reaching high school students, workers who commute long distances and others who might attend college if they could take classes closer to home.

The old Honoka'a Hospital underwent $1.75 million in a first phase of renovations to build classrooms, computer labs, a multipurpose room and offices for the education center.

State lawmakers have approved an additional $3.75 million for a second phase of development, which will include more classrooms.