Funds Released for High-Impact CIP Projects; Millions on Maui

By Wendy Osher

A $7 million appropriation has been released for emergency repairs and improvements to the tsunami-affected Honoapiilani Highway. File photo of Olowalu Shoreline courtesy: Munekiyo & Hiraga, Inc. 2009.

A $7 million appropriation has been released for emergency shoreline repair and protection improvements to the tsunami-affected Honoapiilani Highway on Maui.

The funds are part of a larger $63.7 million released by Governor Neil Abercrombie for high-impact CIP projects across the state.

Maui is also getting a half-a-million dollars for the design of parking lot expansion plans at Kahului Airport; and $2 million for equipment at the Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Gov/ Abercrombie today announced the release of the funds as part of his New Day Plan, to further stimulate the economy, create jobs and invest in the people of Hawai’i.

“Working within a balanced budget, we recognized projects as either shovel-ready or well positioned to have the most immediate positive impact on the community,” said Gov. Abercrombie.

“With the release of these funds there will be a broad distribution of economic and community benefits on multiple islands, from maintaining or improving vital infrastructure to creating jobs throughout the state.”

Projects identified by members of the State Legislature and included in the funding release are listed below:

Education

• $16 million:  University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hawai’i Island — Student housing at University Village, a 33-acre parcel allotted to help accommodate increasing student housing demand.
• $6 million: Kapa’a Elementary School Library, Kaua’i – Construction, equipment and works of art for new library building.

Transportation

• $12.8 million: Honolulu International Airport — Reversion of unrequired revenue funds to high-priority airports projects.
• $7 million: Honoapiilani Highway, Maui — Emergency shoreline repair and protection improvements to tsunami-affected area.
• $2 million: Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, O’ahu — Replacement of piers, catwalks, approaches and the floating dock system.
• $500,000: Kahului Airport, Maui – Design for parking lot expansion.
• $167,500: H-1 Freeway, Pearl Harbor Interchange, O’ahu — Traffic cameras and communication infrastructure.

Health

• $2,715,000 — Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund, Statewide – Construction loan financing to Hawai’i’s four counties for safe drinking water infrastructure projects (The funds fulfill 20% state match required for $13,573,000 in federal funds).
• $2 million: Maui Memorial Medical Center, Moloka’i – Reversion of funds for equipment

Housing

• $10 million: Rental Housing Trust Fund (RHTF), Statewide — Infusion to provide “equity gap” financing for developers of affordable rental projects.
• $245,473: Mayor Wright Homes, O’ahu, and Ke Kumu Ekolu, Hawai’i Island – Repair, maintenance, renovations and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.

Civil Defense

• $1.8 million: Army Guard Facilities, O’ahu — Renovation of Buildings 46 and 1784 at Kalaeloa, O’ahu.
• $1.4 million:  National Guard Facilities, Statewide — Upgrades and improvements to National Guard Emergency Operations Center at Battery 407, Building 46 at Kalaeloa, facilities at Ford Ruger, Wahiawa Armory and Kapa’a Armory (Kaua’i), and infrastructure at Keaukaha Military Reservation.
• $235,300: Ka’u High and Pahala Elementary Gymnasium / FEMA-Certified Civil Defense Shelter, Hawai’i Island — Additional funds for design (note: $17.9 million was previously released for design and construction)

Other Projects

• $500,000: The Cathedral of St. Andrew, O’ahu — Restoration of portion of Davies Hall.
• $333,000: Keelikolani Building, O’ahu – Air conditioning for Tax Department computer room.

*** Supporting information courtesy State of Hawaii, Office of the Governor.