CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR DISTRICT 48 TOTAL $30.5 MILLION

Rep. Kitagawa secured funding for schools, other projects, passed measures on key issues

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) earmarked for House District 48 through 2021 include $30.5 million targeting school, library, transportation, and hospital improvements. In addition to securing CIP funds, Representative Lisa Kitagawa (Kāneʻohe, Kahaluʻu, Waiāhole) introduced and was instrumental in passing measures aimed at education, conservation, and homelessness.

"These projects and policies are our tax dollars at work, and it's my job to ensure our community sees these funds and initiatives making a positive difference in their lives," said Rep. Kitagawa.

CIP District 48 funding for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021:

Schools

• $525,000 for Benjamin Parker Middle School for a boundary survey, retaining wall replacements, and drainage improvements

WAI‘ANAE ELEMENTARY TO RECEIVE $100K DONATION FROM LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER

Donation to convert library into innovative student learning center

 

WHO:             Representatives Cedric Asuega Gates and Senator Maile S.L. Shimabukuro to present honorary certificate; Charles Hew-Len of Hew-Len Group

WHAT:          Honorary Donation Certificate Ceremony

WHEN:          Wednesday, May 29

                        8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:       Waiʻanae Elementary School

                        85-220 McArthur Street

Wai'anae, Hawaii – Charles Hew-Len, CEO of Hew-Len Group, is scheduled to make a generous donation of $100,000 to Waiʻanae Elementary School to assist in the conversion of its library into an innovative student learning center. Representative Cedric Asuega Gates (Waiʻanae, Mākaha, Mākua, Māʻili) and Senator Maile S.L. Shimabukuro (Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Ko ‘Olina, Nānākuli, Ma‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Mākua) will present an honorary certificate during the ceremony.

STATE CIP FUNDS RELEASED TO BENEFIT WAIMEA SCHOOL

Total of $1.6 million to be used to buy land for adjacent parking lot

  Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – State Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds totaling $1.6 million were released by Governor David Ige yesterday to finance land acquisition for a parking lot adjacent to Waimea Elementary and Middle School on Hawaiʻi Island

Representative David A. Tarnas, who represents District 7 where the school is located, said this is an important safety measure for students and families in the area.

"Mahalo to the Governor and the Legislature for providing these funds," said Rep. Tarnas (North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala). "Acquiring this property is a top priority for me and the Waimea Elementary and Middle School community because it will provide a safe location for families to drop off and pick up the young students - especially on the many rainy and windy days we have in Waimea.

LAWMAKER CONCERNED WITH PATIENT DUMPING, POSSIBLE MEDICAID VIOLATIONS AT A COMMUNITY MEDICAID FOSTER HOME

Rep. Mizuno says move may put $2.6 billion in Federal Medicaid funding in jeopardy

  Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair of the House Health Committee, is concerned that a Community Care Family Foster Home (CCFFH), hence a Medicaid care home, may force a current private pay patient to leave its three-patient facility because that patient is transitioning from private pay status to Medicaid pay status.

“I was contacted by a person concerned that his father, who is a private pay client in a Medicaid community care home, would be kicked out of his current care home because he will become a Medicaid status patient," Rep. Mizuno said.

Mizuno said the fee that homes can charge Medicaid patients each month is less than they charge a private patient. But Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Sec. 321-481 provides in part, “The department, in its discretion, may certify a [community Medicaid] home for a third adult who is at the nursing facility level of care and is a Medicaid recipient.”

"What this means is that Medicaid care homes are allowed no more than two patients, however, if in the discretion of the health department such a Medicaid care home is allowed a third patient, such a patient MUST be a Medicaid patient," Mizuno said.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR DISTRICT 23 TOTAL $114.2 MILLION

Major funding for schools, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) earmarked for House District 23 through 2021 include $114.2 million targeting major improvements for schools and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

"These funds support education infrastructure improvements and initiatives, and are an investment in our students," said Representative Dale T. Kobayashi (Mānoa, Punahou, University, Mōʻiliʻili). "We must continue to set up the next generations to succeed, and I want to thank my colleagues for their support on these priorities."

REP. MIZUNO SELECTED AS MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS' NATIONAL HEALTHY STATES TASK FORCE SUBCOMMITTEE

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Representative John M. Mizuno has been selected to participate on a subcommittee of The Council of State Governments’ national Healthy States Task Force.

“The CSG Healthy States National Task Force will bring together a diverse group of state policymakers to explore ways states can best meet the challenges presented by the current health care system and leverage the revolutionary changes occurring in the health sector,” said CSG Executive Director David Adkins.

Mizuno (District 28 - Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, portion of Lower Kalihi) will serve on the Capacity, Preparedness and Resiliency, or CPR, Subcommittee. The subcommittee will examine case studies and review recent state responses to health crises, including ways to prevent and/or reduce the impact of health crisis through preventive care.

"I am happy and grateful to be named to this national Healthy States Task Force," said Mizuno. "Serving with my colleagues will allow us to share critical health care information which we can bring home to benefit our states. At the end of the day, stronger states make for a stronger nation."

EWA LAWMAKER INVITES INDUSTRIAL HEMP CONSULTING GROUP TO HAWAIʻI

Rep. Rida Cabanilla Arakawa believes hemp production will revitalize agriculture

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Representative Rida Cabanilla Arakawa (ʻEwa Villages, ʻEwa Beach, ʻEwa Gentry, Ocean Pointe) has invited Georgio Martinez and Johnathan Pozon founders and managing partners of Green Label Group LLP., which specializes in the structuring and consulting of the hemp industry, to Hawaiʻi for meetings and a presentation in Hilo.

The California-based company asserts years of field-cultivating experience in the cannabinoid agricultural sector and in the import and export of other commodities from around the globe, including sales, logistics, and market growth. 

This past session the Legislature passed SB1353 SD3 HD3 CD1 to facilitate the regulation and production of industrial hemp in Hawaiʻi.

LAWMAKERS GATHER FOR MĀNOA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

WHO:             Representative Dale Kobayashi

                        House Speaker Scott K. Saiki

                        House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti

                        House Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa

                        Senator Brian T. Taniguchi

                        City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi

WHAT:          Legislative Update with Mānoa Lawmakers and House Leadership

WHEN:          Monday, May 20

                        6:30 p.m.

                       

WHERE:       Mānoa Elementary School

                        Cafeteria

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Rep. Dale T. Kobayashi (Mānoa, Punahou, University, Mōʻiliʻili) is hosting a Mānoa Legislative Update to review the 2019 Legislative session.  Joining him are members of the House leadership team to hear concerns from residents and take questions.

MAUI COUNTY RECEIVES $4.5 MILLION IN CIP GRANT-IN-AID FUNDING

Projects include affordable housing, a performing arts theatre, public access structure

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives adjourned its 2019 session last week and Maui nonprofit organizations secured $4.5 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Grant-in-Aid funds.

These CIP grants are provided to local organizations serving the public and working to improve the state of Hawaiʻi,and are awarded for the purpose of construction projects or the acquisition of fixed assets such as land or buildings.

Grant-in-Aid CIP funding for Maui County include:

·         $100,000 for renovations, ADA compliance and energy efficiency for Ahupuaʻa O Molokaʻi

·         $850,000 for a new Paukūkalo Clubhouse in Wailuku for the Boys & Girls Club of Maui

·         $750,000 for a second building of the Hale Mahaolu Senior Housing Campus in Pukalani

·         $200,000 to plan for the expansion of Hale Makua Health Services Kahului campus

·         $250,000 to build the Hāna Health Rehabilitation and Support Center

·         $300,000 to the Housing and Land Enterprise of Maui for affordable housing units in Lahaina

·      

KAUAʻI COUNTY RECIEVES $1.3 MILLION IN CIP GRANT-IN-AID FUNDING

Projects include a playground, food service kitchen, delivery vans 

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives adjourned its 2019 session last week and Kauaʻi nonprofit organizations secured $1.3 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Grant-in-Aid funds.

 These CIP grants are provided to local organizations serving the public and working to improve the state of Hawaiʻi, and are awarded for the purpose of construction projects or the acquisition of fixed assets such as land or buildings.

Grant-in-Aid CIP funding for Kauaʻi County include:

·         $250,000 for construction of a welcome center for Aha Hui E Kala

·         $50,000 to build a playground at Anaina Hou Community Park

·         $200,000 for improvements to Boys & Girls Club clubhouses in Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe and West Kauaʻi

·         $100,000 to support a restoration project for the Kamaloula Cultural Preserve in Kōloa

·         $200,000 to build a food service kitchen and community enterprise kitchen for Kauaʻi Economic Opportunity, Inc.

·         $30,000 for two delivery vans for the Meals on Wheels Program for Kauaʻi Economic Opportunity, Inc.

·     

HAWAIʻI COUNTY RECEIVES $1.5 MILLION IN CIP GRANT-IN-AID FUNDING

Projects include youth facilities, affordable housing, commercial kitchen

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives adjourned its 2019 session last week and Hawaiʻi nonprofit organizations secured $1.5 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Grant-in-Aid funds.

These CIP grants are provided to local organizations serving the public and working to improve the state of Hawaiʻi, and are awarded for the purpose of construction projects or the acquisition of fixed assets such as land or buildings.

Grant-in-Aid CIP funding for Hawaiʻi County include:

·         $150,000 to the Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council as fiscal sponsor for Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Producers Cooperative to improve the Honalo Marshalling Yard facility

·         $100,000 to build a Behavioral Health Campus in Keaʻau for the Big Island Substance Abuse Council

·       

MAUI COUNTY RECEIVES $337.4 MILLION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Funds earmarked for schools, infrastructure, conservation, prison improvements

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives adjourned its 2019 session last week and passed $337.4 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 for various projects across Maui County.

Capital Improvement Projects are renovations, repairs, and major maintenance to existing facilities, landscape improvements, new construction, land acquisition, and utility modifications.

CIP funding highlights for Maui County include:

SCHOOLS

• $2.4 million for Baldwin High School to design and construct a girls' athletic locker room and reroof Building B
• $700,000 for Haiku Elementary School for a covered walkway and reroofing for Building E
• $5.1 million for Iao Intermediate School for cafeteria and building C renovations, additional classrooms, and air conditioning installation
• $6.5 million for Kahului Elementary School for design and construction of parking lot fencing and a new classroom building
• $393,000 for Kalama Intermediate School parking lot renovation, design of a multipurpose room, and fire alarm replacement

KAUAʻI COUNTY RECEIVES $89.1 MILLION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Funds earmarked for schools, parks and recreation, infrastructure

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives adjourned its 2019 session last week and passed $89.1 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for fiscal year 2020 and 2021 for various projects across Kauaʻi County.

Capital Improvement Projects are renovations, repairs, and major maintenance to existing facilities, landscape improvements, new construction, land acquisition, and utility modifications.

CIP funding highlights for Kauaʻi County include:

SCHOOLS

• $3 million total for Kapaʻa High School, which includes parking lot, driveway, gymnasium, and site improvements
• $2,050,000 for Kekaha Elementary School to include repair, maintenance, and renovation to buildings and facilities
• $325,000 to repair and resurface Kilauea Elementary School's outdoor playcourt

HAWAII COUNTY RECEIVES $243.1 MILLION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Funding to benefit schools, hospitals, infrastructure, conservation projects

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives adjourned their 2019 session last week and passed $243.1 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 for various projects across Hawai‘i County.

Capital Improvement Project funds are used for renovations, repairs, and major maintenance to existing facilities, landscape improvements, new construction, land acquisition, and utility modifications.

CIP funding highlights for Hawaiʻi County include:

SCHOOLS

• $22.7 million for a classroom building and library at Haʻaheo Elementary School
• $400,000 replacing the 2^nd floor ceilings in Building L at Hilo Intermediate School
• $300,000 for design for architectural barrier removal at Honokaʻa Elementary School
• $200,000 for fire alarm wiring in Building D at Hoʻokena Elementary School

HOUSE VOTES TO SUPPORT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI ATHLETICS PROGRAM

Measure provides $4 million per fiscal year for student-athletes' expenses

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Legislature has passed a bill providing $8 million in funding to support of the University of Hawaiʻi collegiate athletics program.

HB 1547 HD2 SD3 CD2 provides $4 million for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $4 million for fiscal year 2020-2021 to provide student-athletes with benefits as permitted by National Collegiate Athletics Association.

Representative Chris Todd, who wrote the bill, said the funds will benefit student-athletes across the UH system, including UH Hilo.

"The bill was conceived to provide meals for student-athletes, especially while traveling to the mainland to compete," said Rep. Todd (Keaukaha, parts of Hilo, Panaʻewa, Waiākea). "Previously, athletes have only been provided with one meal a day. Providing meals is an important health and wellness issue for our young athletes and contributes greatly to their success."

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR DISTRICT 43 TOTAL $153 MILLION

Projects focus on agriculture, school, infrastructure construction

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) earmarked for House District 43 through 2021 include $153 million targeting agriculture, education, and infrastructure upgrades. Representative Stacelynn K.M. Eli (‘Ewa Villages, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Nanakai Gardens, Ko ‘Olina, Kahe Point, Nānākuli, Lualualei, Mā‘ili) said this state investment will benefit everyone who lives in the West Oʻahu community.

"These CIP funds will help students, commuters, and everyone using Kalaeloa Airport and Farrington Highway on the Leeward Coast," said Eli. "Safety, education, and economic growth are among my top priorities. These funds will address some of the concerns in our community that has been overlooked for years.  I want to thank my colleagues in the legislature for their support."

The state CIP funds are earmarked for fiscal year 2019-2020 ($89 million) and fiscal year 2020-2012 ($64 million).

Projects include:

·         $13.4 million for facility improvements at Kalaeloa Airport

·        

HOUSE PASSES 298 BILLS TO END PRODUCTIVE 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Representatives reaffirm their oversight role, tackle difficult issues

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives today adjourned the 2019 regular legislative session sine die having passed a total of 298 bills including measures to make reforms in our prison and bail systems, streamline fair elections and increase voter turnout, fund kupuna caregivers and community college students, and continue the effort to end homelessness.

"The House took the lead in taking on the big initiatives this year which were successful," said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki. "The House has re-defined the Legislature's role as the policy making branch of state government. There is more to be done, and we will use this interim to develop priorities for next year."

Saiki said at the beginning of the session lawmakers were prepared to reaffirm their oversight role and ensure transparency and accountability by closely scrutinizing the administration's budget, carefully listening to public testimony, and approaching bills with a receptive mind ready to compromise.