Puunene Jail Included on Project Labor Agreement List

Puunene with a vantage mauka. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui Regional Public Safety Complex is included on a list of state construction projects that the governor has identified in a directive announced yesterday.

Under the directive, the state will use Project Labor Agreements to ensure efficient and timely completion of the project to address obstacles that might arise due to a lack of labor coordination.

The Maui Regional Public Safety Complex is a $225 million project to build a new jail facility in Puunene.  The proposal calls for the construction of the new facility to house adult male and female inmates, and accommodate security support facilities and administrative offices.

The complex design of the Puunene Jail is also proposed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

In announcing the administrative directive, Governor Neil Abercrombie said, “A Project Labor Agreement provides a mechanism for collaboration on certain projects to prevent potential conflicts among labor unions.”

“Our local economy has shown signs of improvement, but we cannot afford to lose this momentum by prolonging projects from getting done in a timely manner,” said the governor.

Building Trades Council President Reginald Castanares, Jr. credited the administration with being “supportive of the working men and women of Hawai’i.”

“The governor’s directive speaks volumes to his desire to create jobs and work on necessary projects that will benefit the state,” said Castanares.

The four other construction projects that have been identified by various state departments to fall under the PLA include:

• University of Hawai’i – Hilo College of Pharmacy: This $38 million project will include classrooms for new pharmacists and research labs for the discovery and synthesis of new drug entities. State officials say Honolulu-based firm, WCIT, is the lead architect and has completed more than half of the design.
• Princess Victoria Kamamalu Building: The total project is estimated to cost $32.9 million. It includes renovation of the existing building; asbestos removal; and infrastructure, electrical and plumbing repairs. The scope of work also includes design and construction that meets the US Green Building Council’s LEED standards.
• Ewa Elementary School: This $11 million project is the construction of an eight-classroom building to meet growth and enrollment projections. It will include six general classrooms, a self-contained special education classroom, and a computer resource room.
• Honolulu International Airport Mauka Concourse Project: The estimated project cost is $213 million. It includes extending the interisland terminal with the addition of six wide body and 11 narrow body gates, additional concessionaire space, airline lounge, and restrooms.

TThese projects are prime examples of addressing immediate job growth and building better infrastructure for the future as outlined in my New Day Plan,” said the governor in a media statement upon the announcement yesterday.