Categorized | Government, News

Green reports $180M in West Hawaii appropriations

MEDIA RELEASE

Sen. Josh Green (District 3 – West Hawaii) issued the following statement following the conclusion Thursday of the 2013 legislative session:

I am pleased to report that this year the State Legislature has approved more than $180 million in appropriations for West Hawaii over the next two fiscal years to improve our region’s transportation, education, healthcare and justice systems.

These important new investments in our community’s roads, schools, and hospitals will continue to create jobs, stimulate our economy, and build our community for years to come.

I am particularly pleased to report that this year the Legislature has made a strong commitment to complete the new Kona Judiciary Complex, a facility which represents a large state investment in the development of West Hawaii and will house 230 full-time employees when it is completed.

In 2011, the Legislature appropriated $12 million for land acquisition and design of the complex, and this year the Legislature approved an additional $9 million to begin construction with the intention of approving an additional $81 million to complete construction in the coming years.

This year the Legislature has also approved an additional $2.4 million to complete the construction of phase I of the new West Hawaii Community College Campus at Palamanui, bringing the state investment in the new campus to $14.9 million, in addition to private investment of close to $20 million. This new campus will give our young people the option of pursuing higher education in West Hawaii, and will serve as an educational resource for our entire community.

In addition, the Legislature has renewed the Hospital Sustainability Act, which will this year again bring more than $37 million in federal money to help strengthen and support hospitals in Hawaii, including over $4 million to North Hawaii Community Hospital on the Big Island.

Projects approved for West Hawaii during the 2013 legislative session include:

* Kona International Airport
$113.5 million for airport improvements including construction of the first phase of the terminal expansion program, design and construction of an international arrivals building, and extensive security improvements

* Saddle Road Extension
$15.8 million for design of a new roadway extending the Saddle Road from the Hilo terminus to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and land acquisition and construction of a road maintenance facility that includes maintenance and office structures

* Puuanahulu Shooting Range Facility
$13 million for plans, design, and construction of the Puuanahulu Shooting Range Facility

* NELHA Frontage Road
$9.7 million for construction of a frontage road and new connections to the Kaiminani Drive and Makako Bay Drive intersections on Queen Kaahumanu Highway

* Kona Judiciary Complex
$9 million for plans, design, and construction of a new Judiciary Complex in Kona

* Mamalahoa Highway
$6 million for construction of drainage improvements to Mamalahoa Highway in the vicinity of Puuwaawaa Ranch Road

* Kona Community Hospital
$4 million for renovations and upgrades to Kona Community Hospital

* Manuka Natural Area Reserve
$3.5 million for plans, design, and construction of a boundary fence at the Manuka Natural Area Preserve

* West Hawaii Community College at Palamanui
$2.4 million for design and construction of the completion of Phase I of the new West Hawaii Community College Campus

* Kohala Community Hospital
$1 million for renovations and upgrades to Kohala Community Hospital

* Kealakehe High School
$300,000 for design of upgrades to an all-weather and synthetic track at Kealakehe High School

Please join me at the West Hawaii Community Forum 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 at the Main Pavilion of Makaeo (Old Airport) Park, along with our other legislators from West Hawaii. Come join us for pupus and beverages, talk story, and share your ideas and concerns with your representatives in state government.

As your state Senator, I will continue to work hard every day to improve our transportation, education, healthcare, and justice systems and make our roads, schools, and hospitals in West Hawaii the best that they can be.

Let’s keep working together to achieve even greater results in the coming years, and to make West Hawaii and our entire state an even better place to live.

Aloha,
Josh Green
State Senator
District 3, West Hawaii

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