Niu Valley Middle School Visits Capitol

This morning, those in the Hawaii State Capitol were treated to a live performance from the Niu Valley Middle School's band in the rotunda.

Later in the during, during floor session the state House of Representatives recognized the Niu Valley Middle School band and music program for its successful educational curriculum that teaches music as a form of artistic expression. The school’s music program is led by Kent Miyashiro, International Baccalaureate Coordinator; Wayne Fanning, music department chair and band and orchestra director; and Zachary Morita, band, Polynesian music and percussion ensembles director. The band has competed at various musical events, where it has been judged against National Music Standards and has consistently received superior and excellent ratings.

The band was showcased at the 2011 American School Band Directors Association Conference in Denver, Colorado. This summer, the band will perform at the 60th Anniversary American School Band Directors Association Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the band will premiere a piece written by renowned band and orchestra composer Brian Balmages.

Over $460 Million for Capital Improvements for Maui County

House Finance and Senate Ways and Means Committee on a site visit to Maui County

Funding includes money for Kihei High School and agricultural support

Maui legislators secured more than $460 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for various projects across Maui County. The largest single item by far was $130 million for construction of the new Kihei High School. Construction is expected to begin in 2015, and the full funding will allow bidding on the whole project, saving the State millions of dollars.

“Even as recent projections on growth for the State are tempered, we still need to evaluate our priorities to ensure that public funds are spent where they are warranted and most needed,” said House Speaker Joseph M. Souki, who represents Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku and Waikapu.

“There has been much said about the cooling of our economy, with the new forecast from the state Council on Revenues. But that should not frighten us into taking no action, but motivate us to sharpen our pens so that we spend prudently, making the most of the dollars we do have.”

“The geographical make-up of House District 13 is unique where constituents call it our Maui Nui district because it includes East Maui (Paia to Kaupo), the islands Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai and Molokini,” added Representative Mele Carroll. “We need to continue to invest in our infrastructure by updating, repairing, upkeep our maintenance and making the necessary improvements because it is essential to our survival and future if we want to live a quality life. I am grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with my colleagues in making sure the priorities for House District 13’s Capital Improvement Projects is supported and was added into the State budget via House Bill 1700 this session.”

Here are the highlights of the CIP funding secured for Maui County

• $130 million for the design and construction of a new high school in Kihei 
• $2.5 million for the planning and design of a new middle school in Central Maui
• $6 million for the design and construction of a new pipeline system for upcountry Maui watershed.
• $2.7 million for the planning, design and construction for the Maui Food Innovation Center at the University of Hawaii – Maui campus.
• $6 million for the acquisition of land, and design and construction of a state agricultural park in upcountry Maui.
• $700,000 for the design and construction of two portable classrooms at Haiku Elementary School
• $14 million for the construction of a new auditorium at King Kekaulike High School
• $75,000 for the design and construction of pedestrian safety improvements at Lahaina Intermediate School
• $75,000 for various pedestrian safety improvements at Nahienaena Elementary School
• $9.7 million for the design and construction of the Central Maui Region Park and Sports Complex 
• $20 million for the acquisition of land parcels at Lipoa Point, the purchase will preserve the land for future generations
• $1.5 million for the construction and purchase of equipment for an outdoor playcourt at Kalama Intermediate School
• $4 million for improvements to the track & field and stadium at King Kekaulike High School
• $1.2 million for the design and construction of two portable classrooms at Makawao Elementary School
• $750,000 for various improvements to Maui High School, including to the weight training/wrestling room and the band/choir room
• $100,000 for landscaping at Pukalani Elementary
• A total of $5 million for the plans, design and construction of site improvements and infrastructure of a master-planned mixed use development in Pulehunui
• $32.5 million for the design and construction of a new parking garage at Maui Memorial Hospital
• $950,000 for the construction of phase 2 of the Easter Seals Maui campus
• $370,000 for the replacement of wooden piers at Maalaea Small Boat Harbor
• $5.5 million for the construction of a replacement building to support various departmental divisions & programs
• A total of $800,000 for sand replenishment at Kaanapali Beach
• $10 million for the construction of a new access road to Kahului Airport from Hana Highway
• $6 million for capital improvements that will provide for safer and more efficient use of operational areas at Kahului Harbor
• $20.5 million for environmental planning and the construction of capital improvements for better operational areas at Hana Harbor
• $3 million for the construction of shoreline improvements to include shoreline erosion mitigation and roadway work at Honoapiilani Highway
• $8.5 million for the realignment and widening of Honoapiilani Highway from Lahainaluna Road to the vicinity of Launiupoko
• A total of $72.6 million for the land acquisition and planning of a new two-lane highway from Kihei to Upcountry Maui
• Almost $5.5 million for the rehabilitation of a concrete bridge on Honoapiilani Highway in the vicinity of Honolua Bay  
• $3.08 million for the construction of miscellaneous improvements to existing intersections and highway facilities necessary for improved traffic operation
• $3.25 million for construction to extend the left turn lane at Makawao Avenue to Haleakala Highway and to construct pedestrian facilities
• $2 million for various improvements along Maui highways including guardrail and shoulder improvements
• $10 million for the widening of Puunene Avenue from Kamehameha Avenue to Kuihelani Highway from two- to four-lanes, and for the installation of safety improvements.
• $180,000 for the rehabilitation or replacement of Puohokamoa Stream Bridge along Hana Highway 
• $235,000 for the rehabilitation or replacement of Kopiliula Stream Bridge along Hana Highway 
• $1.11 million for the rehabilitation or replacement of Makanali Stream Bridge along Hana Highway 
• $200,000 for the rehabilitation or replacement of Mokulehua Stream Bridge along Hana Highway 
• $195,000 for the rehabilitation or replacement of Ulaino Steam Bridge along Hana Highway
• $200,000 for Hana Highway improvements in the vicinity of milepost 28.1 
• $2.6 million for the design and construction of various improvements along Hana Highway from Huelo to Hana 
• $1.1 million for the rehabilitation of Kailua Stream Bridge along Hana Highway

Funding highlights for Molokai include:

• $2 million for the plans, design and construction for improvements to the Molokai Irrigation System
• $400,000 for the planning and design of a Molokai Athletic Center
• $521,000 for improvements at Kalaupapa Settlement on Molokai $599,000 for the rehabilitation of Makakupaia Bridge to include railings and other improvements
• $1 million for guardrail and shoulder lane improvements along state highways on Molokai

(Note: CIP requests for Lanai Island have been submitted as Grant-in-Aids and are currently not in the budget bill)

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