HONOLULU — The House of Representatives adjourned their 2018 session last week and passed many bills on homeless support, emergency services and family protection that will directly benefit the people of Hawaii Island.
The House also passed more than $256.5 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for Fiscal Year 2019 for various projects across Hawaii County. CIPs are renovations, repairs, and major maintenance to existing facilities, landscape improvements, new construction, land acquisition, and utility modifications.
Notable CIP funding highlights for Hawaii County include:
• $4.9 million for improvements and upgrades to the Seawater System at the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park
• $1.7 million for construction and equipment for a new combined support maintenance shop complex for the Hawaii Army National Guard
• $2.9 million for a playcourt/assembly area and site improvements at Kohala Middle School
• $2.4 million for a multi-purpose building at Haaheo Elementary School
• $2 million for a covered play court at Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School
• $3.7 million for a covered play court at Kapiolani Elementary School
• $1 million to resurface the parking lot at Keaau Middle School
• $1 million for a covered walkway at Keaukaha Elementary School
• $2 million to renovate restrooms at Konawaena High School
• $575,000 to repave sections of the campus at Naalehu Elementary School
• $760,000 for drainage improvements at Mountain View Elementary School
• $1 million for a covered walkway at Pahoa High and Intermediate School
• $1.5 million for a parking lot and drop-off area at Waimea Elementary and Middle School
• $1.6 million for land acquisition for a parking lot at Waimea Elementary School
• $1.9 million for land acquisition for a public library in Waikoloa
• $600,000 for land acquisition, design and construction for the Kailapa Community Resource Center
• $11 million for land acquisition, design and construction for a multi-purpose processing facility for Workforce Development
• $6.2 million for aircraft aprons, runway lighting, and noise monitoring system upgrade at Hilo International Airport
• $88.4 million for a new agriculture inspection station, an aircraft rescue and fire fighting command center, an emergency generator, airport restrooms, an administrative office building and renovation of the existing building, and a federal inspection station at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport
• $42.4 million for rockfall and slope protection, and bridge replacement or repairs on the Hawai‘i Belt Road
• $3.7 million for a runaway truck ramp, and bridge replacement on Kawaihae Road
• $1 million for widening projects on Queen Kaahumanu Highway
• $2 million for Kapehu Bridge replacement on Hawai‘i Belt Road
• $1.1 million for an outdoor learning and dining area at Hawaii Community College-Palamanui.
Hawaii lawmakers were also able to secure $2.6 million in Operating Grants-In-Aid projects for Big Island nonprofit organizations.