A planned new library in Keaau has cleared its next hurdle before construction.
In order to address the lack of sufficient library facilities to serve the Keaau and Mountain View areas, the Hawaii State Public Library System has proposed building a 13,900-square-foot library at the Keaau Middle School, after rejecting 11 other potential locations.
According to a final environmental assessment published Sunday, the project is not anticipated to have any significant impact on the local environment, nor has the scope of the project changed substantially since a draft EA was published in May.
The project will built on 1.7 acres of land adjacent to the middle school and will include a technology lab, 42 parking spaces and covered walkways connecting it to the school.
Public responses submitted during a comment period in June were largely positive regarding the project, and included recommendations for library content and programming.
The project is estimated to cost about $20 million, all of which has been appropriated by the state Legislature. Construction is anticipated to be completed by 2027.