More than $200M for Big Island projects in House budget

A new courthouse and hospital for Kona are among more than $200 million in Big Island projects in the $2.2 billion two-year capital improvement budget passed Wednesday by the state House.

The Senate is finalizing its own budget, and representatives from both houses will meet in conference committees next month to work out the differences. The full spending package, once voted on by both houses, then goes to the governor, who has line item veto power.

The biggest project on the state capital improvement project list, not just for the Big Island but for the entire state, is $55 million to complete the $90 million Kona Judiciary Complex, a project that already received $35 million, but needs the entire amount for the state judiciary to be able to sign a construction contract.

“We have been very fortunate this year that the House has committed full funding, and now it’s been sent to the Senate, and it’s important that all of our senators unify to make this project a priority for the Big Island,” said Kona attorney Bob Kim, a major proponent of the courthouse.

While a courthouse is badly needed in West Hawaii, the project also is viewed as a major economic engine, Kim said Friday.

“This is really going to stimulate the local economy, not just on the west side,” he said. “It’s not just a Kona thing; it’s going to benefit the whole island.”

Rep. Nicole Lowen, D-Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau, who sits on the House Finance Committee, said the courthouse is her top priority.

“If we can get the full funding, we can move this project forward,” she said. “We’ve had some funding over the past two years that (otherwise) could lapse.”

Of the almost $1.5 billion for the 2016 fiscal year that begins July 1, and $755.3 million for the 2017 fiscal year, $689.9 million goes to CIP projects on Oahu, $201.7 million goes to Hawaii Island, $165.1 million goes to Maui County and $60.57 million goes to Kauai, according to a news release from House leadership.

The budget, HB 500, appropriates funds for operating and capital improvements costs of the Executive Branch. For fiscal year 2015-16, the bill provides $6.5 billion in general funds and $12.7 billion in all means of financing. For FY2016-17, it appropriates $6.8 billion in general funds and $13.1 billion in all financing means.

“While the state’s economy seems to be trending upward, we will continue our cautious approach to budgeting, even as we take care of our long-term unfunded liabilities and important CIP projects,” House Speaker Joe Souki, a Maui Democrat, said in a statement.

In addition to the courthouse funding, the proposed budget includes $3.5 million for renovations at Kona Community Hospital and $1.2 million for the planning and design of a new hospital in Kona.

The East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corp. would benefit from $4.99 million for photovoltaic projects.

Airports would benefit as well, with $61 million for the design and construction of a new airport rescue firefighters regional training facility at Kona International Airport and $3.5 million for airfield improvements at Hilo International Airport.

And, there’s money for schools, roads and harbors, as well as improvements to boost agriculture.

One of those is $2.4 million for the design and construction of a Waimea post-harvest facility and vacuum cooling plant.

“Once farmers grow their crops, they need a facility where they can take their produce and prepare it for sale,” Rep. Richard Onishi, D-Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano, who sits on the House Finance Committee, said in a statement.

“The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant is that type of post-harvest facility,” he said. “It enables farmers to quickly bring down the temperature of their produce which then ensures a longer shelf life, increase product quality and lessens the potential of product degradation.”

Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.