House Budget includes over $436 million for Capital Improvements on Hawaii Island

House Finance Committee on a site visit to Malaai Garden, the culinary garden of Waimea Middle School

Funding Includes Monies for new Kona courthouse, schools, airports and highways

Honolulu, Hawaii – Big Island legislators secured over $436 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for various projects across the island in the House supplemental budget passed last week. The Big Island’s portion of the budget included funding for the new Kona judiciary complex, the Kona airport terminal expansion and other airports improvements, various highway improvements and monies for Big Island schools.

Notable CIP funding highlights for Hawaii County include:

·         $40 million for the design, engineering, and construction of a Judiciary Complex in Kona

·         $2.4 million for the design and completion of Phase 1 at the University of Hawaii – Palamanui Campus

·         A total of $33 million for the design and construction of a new instructional facility for the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy

·         $2 million for improvements to the Waimea irrigation system

·         $4.9 million for improvements for the Lower Hamakua Ditch watershed project

·         $2.5 million to complete exploratory phase for potable water for Haao Springs and Mountain House

·         $300,000 for a new Hawaii Veterans Center

·         $2.5 million for improvements to the Kau Irrigation System

·         $15.6 million for various improvements to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA)

·         $1.6 million for a non-potable well for the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery

·         $8.6 million for improvements for Youth Challenge Academy, Keaukaha Military Reservation

·         $3 million for improvements to athletic facilities at Honokaa High School

·         $300,000 for upgrade to Kealakehe High School track

·         $675,000 for ground and site improvements to Keaau Middle School

·         $3.86 million for renovation of gymnasium at Pahoa High and Intermediate School

·         $1 million ground and site improvements to Waiakea Elementary School

·         $450,000 for classrooms at Waiakea High School

·         $14.9 million for classrooms at Waimea Middle School

·         $2 million for drop off and parking at Honokaa Elementary School

·         $250,000 for ground and site improvements to Kamalii Elementary School

·         $550,000 for improvements to athletic facilities at Kau High School

·         $275,000 for ground and safety improvements at Keaau High School

·         $250,000 for lighting system for gymnasium at Konawaena High School

·         $360,000 for improvements to gymnasium at Pahoa High and Intermediate School

·         $1.4 million for library and admin building at Waiakea Elementary School

·         $643,000 for the Salvation Army Family Intervention Services

·         $1 million for new adult day care facility, Hawaii Island Community Development Corp.

·         $1.5 million for the Kahilu theatre Foundation

·         $2.5 million for geothermal well plugging and abandonment

·         $3.5 million for Puu Waawaa structure improvement and dam compliance

·         $3.5 million for Manuka Natural Area Reserve boundary fence

·         $5 million for Waimea District/Regional Park

·         $2 million for improvements to Highway 130 and Homestead Road intersection

·         $43.4 million for new aircraft rescue and firefighting station and other various improvements at Hilo International Airport

·         $3 million for the Ellison S. Onizuka Space Museum

·         $115.3 million for terminal expansion and other improvements for Kona International Airport at Keahole

·         $12 million for improvements to Mamalahoa Highway

·         $8 million for widening and improvements to Akoni Pule Highway

·         $8 million for improvements to Hawaii Belt Road

·         $7 million for various improvements along highways, including guardrail and shoulder improvements

·         $2 million for the plans, design, and construction of a traffic signal at the Pahoa bypass and Post Office Road intersection

·         $1 million for improvements to the intersection and sidewalk from Lehua Street to Plumeria Street in order to provide pedestrian connectivity to the State long-term care and emergency room

·         $27.7 million for the widening of Queen Kaahumanu Highway to a four-lane divided highway from Kealakehe Parkway to the vicinity of Keahole Airport.

·         $6.75 million for land acquisition and the design of Puainako Street from two to four-lanes.

·         $9.175 million for the extension of Saddle Road from the Hilo Terminus to Queen Kaahumanu Highway

·         $2.215 million for the construction of miscellaneous improvements to existing intersections and highway facilities necessary for improved traffic operation