Lawmakers announce funding for projects
The state House of Representatives approved more than $130 million in capital improvement projects for Hawaii Island during the 2021 legislative session.
The state House of Representatives approved more than $130 million in capital improvement projects for Hawaii Island during the 2021 legislative session.
With a very tight state budget, lawmakers selected the most critical road, school, airport and other infrastructure projects for funding on the Big Island.
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The district breakdown of the CIP budget for projects across Hawaii Island is as follows:
• District 1 – North Hilo, Hamakua Coast (Rep. Mark Nakashima)
— $21.5 million for Hilo Medical Center to, among other things, purchase two replacement chillers, construct a new intensive care unit, and make improvements to the center’s ventilation system;
— $774,000 for general maintenance, building refurbishment, and equipment repairs at E. B. De Silva Elementary School;
— $580,000 for the installation of a photovoltaic electrical system at Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School;
— $4.5 million for the installation of a rubberized track, bleachers, a synthetic turf field, and other ground improvements at Hilo High School;
— $3.25 million for planning, construction and equipment for improvements at the Lower Hamakua Ditch watershed;
— $1.97 million for protection of 13,000 acres of vital water resources and endangered species in Makahanaloa; and
— $900,000 for the removal of the Hoku Ke‘a Telescope Observatory at the summit of Maunakea.
• District 2 – Hilo, Keaukaha (Rep. Chris Todd)
— $253,000 for an electrical upgrade to Building B to Keaukaha Elementary School, technological renovations to facilitate distance learning;
— $5 million for the design and construction of a new girls’ athletic locker room at Waiakea High School, including showers, lockers, offices, restrooms and equipment;
— $1.4 million for terminal improvements in the hold rooms, ticket lobby, and restrooms at Hilo International Airport;
— $10 million for planning, land acquisition, and construction at Port of Hilo designed to make the harbor safer and more efficient; and
— $10 million for the renewal, improvement, and modernization of facilities and infrastructure at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
• District 3 – South Hilo, Keaau, Mountain View, Volcano, Pahala (Rep. Richard Onishi)
— $250,000 for the installation of air conditioning units and ventilation improvements to Building A at Keaau Middle School;
— $10 million for the planning, design, and construction of a new public library serve Keaau and Mountain View;
— $18 million to replace the current one-lane 4 Mile Creek bridge at the bottom of Haihai Street, and make other ground and site improvements in the area; and
— $1.23 million for ground and site improvements at Mountain View Elementary School.
• District 4 – Puna (Rep. Greggor Ilagan)
— $1.3 million for a new acceleration lane and right-turn-on-red installation at the intersection of Shower Drive and Highway.
• District 5 – South Kona, Naalehu (Rep. Jeanne Kapela)
— $555,000 for drainage improvements and other ground and site repairs at Ho‘okena Elementary Schoo.l
• District 6 – Kailua-Kona (Rep. Nicole Lowen)
— $60,000 to the Palamanui Forest Conservation for the environmental protection of endangered lowland dry forest species;
— $2.5 million to design and construct a bridge connecting Building A and Building B at Kahakai Elementary School;
— $1.2 million for facility and infrastructure renovations, including upgrades to the fire alarm system, at Kealakehe Intermediate School;
— $800,000 for general maintenance and upkeep costs at Hulihee Palace State Museum;
— $2.25 million for sewage and electrical system improvements at the Honokohau small boat harbor;
— $1.7 million for expansion and improvements at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery; and
— $18 million for facility renovations at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
• District 7 – North Kona, Kohala (Rep. David Tarnas)
— $2 million for land acquisition and structural improvements at the Waimea Deep Water Monitor Well;
— $1.8 million for the completion of the Kanu o ka ‘Aina Public Charter School multipurpose building;
— $1.6 million for improvements to the dock and break wall at the Kawaihae North small boat harbor; and
— $10 million for planning, land acquisition, and construction at Kawaihae Harbor designed to make the harbor safer and more efficient.
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