Ka‘u gym moves ahead

By CHELSEA JENSEN

Stephens Media

The Ka‘u District Gym and Shelter recently moved a step closer to fruition with the release of a final environmental assessment finding the project will likely have no significant impact.

Construction of the $16.9 million state capital improvement project funded Pahala facility is anticipated to begin this summer and wrap up in 2014. The Hawaii County Department of Public Works must award the project to a contractor by June 30 because state funding already re-appropriated to the project is set to lapse that day.

The approximately 42,000-plus-square-foot facility, which includes an auxiliary building, will comprise athletic courts, recreation and multipurpose rooms, restrooms, lobby, concession area, storage rooms, a locker and shower room and an athletic training room, according to the assessment. Some 26,145 square feet is dedicated NCAA and Hawaii High School Athletic Association regulation size courts, a recreation room and a multipurpose room, according to the assessment.

Many areas of the facility, totalling nearly 29,000 square feet will serve as an emergency and congregate shelter, if needed, capable of serving a maximum 1,928 people. The facility will be built to withstand a Category 3 hurricane, which according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale has sustained winds between 111 and 130 mph.

There is one existing shelter, which the project will replace, serving the entire 922.3-square-mile, 8,451 resident district, according to the document. It does not likely meet minimum hurricane shelter criteria. A shelter is proposed in the Ocean View area, however.

In addition to shelter, some 4,474 square feet, comprising two rooms, will be dedicated as “vog shelter,” according to the assessment. A maximum 317 people would be able to use the rooms when needed. Both will include an air filtration system to provide shelter from sulfur dioxide emissions. Only one, capable of holding 192 people, will be air conditioned.

“This area is intended for the most vulnerable persons sensitive to vog that include: asthmatic persons, respiratory and cardiac compromised individuals (including smokers), children and adolescents, and healthy, but sensitive, individuals,” the assessment reads.

The department will construct the Ka‘u District Gym and Shelter with some $16.9 million in state funding released in October by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. The funding covers the cost to design and construct the building on 5 acres of state property makai of the Ka‘u High and Pahala Elementary schools’ present gymnasium.

The money was first appropriated by the state Legislature in 2009, however, former Gov. Linda Lingle did not release it. Because the funding was re-appropriated by Abercrombie, the county is on a tight June 30 deadline to award the project, Department of Public Works Director Warren Lee said in February.

The facility will be managed by the county Department of Parks and Recreation and be used jointly by the school and community, according to the assessment. An executive order is being sought to formally recognize the operation and management authority over the gym.

Potential adverse impacts include distraction to night-flying birds and noise. The assessment expects no impact to endangered species.

To mitigate avian impact, the design will include shielded security lighting and the stipulation that exterior lighting only be used as needed. All activities at the facility will cease by 10 p.m. to reduce noise.

Other considered alternatives include taking no action, renovating current school facilities, and constructing the facility differently or building it elsewhere.

The document may be downloaded starting Tuesday at the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s website at hawaii.gov/health/environmental/environmental/oeqc/index.html.

Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.