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Legislative update in Hilo (June 6)

MEDIA RELEASE

Through working together, Sens. Malama Solomon and Gilbert Kahele, along with Rep. Mark Nakashima are improving the quality of life in their districts.

Together, the legislators secured $292.6 M in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for the Hawaii Island districts, ensuring that many of their district goals were met. The project funds were allocated in the CIP portion of the State budget, House Bill (HB) 200.

These appropriations represent new jobs and job training, education and healthcare, roads, airports and harbor improvements, and vital “safety net” services for our keiki, kupuna and less fortunate.

This bill is currently awaiting Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s signature.

“A special thanks to everyone who called, emailed or sent testimony supporting these important projects. You made a difference!” said Solomon (District 4, Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona). “We also made progress on addressing the financial crisis our State faces by passing a bill that protects our all-important AA bond rating. This is how we finance major infrastructures to get results that benefit our community.”

“The projects funded by the budget will help move the Island of Hawaii forward by creating jobs, enhancing our public infrastructure and facilities, and investing in education,” said Kahele (District 1, Hilo). “Through projects at our schools like Waiakea Elementary and Waiakea High, we invest in our children’s educational development and provide a safe environment in which they can achieve success. “

“I am particularly pleased that funds have been allocated for a new rescue and fire fighting facility at Hilo International Airport, as well as runway improvements. In addition, we are addressing the critical shortage of primary care providers by establishing the training program,” said Nakashima (District 1- Hamakua, Hilo). “By working collaboratively with my colleagues in both the House and Senate we will continue to secure funds to drive our economy and improve our quality of life.”

Solomon, Kahele and Nakashima host a community meeting 6-7 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, UCB 127. Legislators will be giving residents a post 2013 Legislative Session update, including a discussion on CIPs.

Highlights of the CIP funding secured for the Hawaii Island districts:

AGRICULTURE

$2 Million — WAIMEA IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

$4.4 Million — LOWER HAMAKUA DITCH WATERSHED PROJECT

AIRPORTS

$43.4 Million — HILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NEW AIR RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING FACILITY, RUNWAY 3-21 RECONSTRUCTION, SECURITY ACCESS CONTROL

$113.5 Million — KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SECURITY ACCESS CONTROL, TERMINAL EXPANSION, INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS BUILDING

$3 Million — ELLISON S. ONIZUKA SPACE MUSEUM; IMPROVEMENTS

DBEDT

$12.017 Million — NELHA SEAWATER SYSTEM UPGRADES, ROAD AND NEW INTERSECTION CONNECTIONS

DEFENSE

$5.9 Million — YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY (YCA) UPGRADE & IMPROVEMENTS

$300,000 — WEST HAWAII VETERANS CENTER; PLANS & DESIGN

EDUCATION

$1 Million — HONOKAA HIGH SCHOOL; ATHLETIC FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

$5 Million — WAIMEA MIDDLE SCHOOL; 9-CLASSROOM SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY

BUILDING

$300,000 — KEALAKEHE HIGH SCHOOL; ALL-WEATHER AND SYNTHETIC TRACK

$1.5 million — WAIAKEA ELEMENATARY SCHOOL; PLAY COURT

$450, 000 — WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL; NEW BATTING CAGE

HARBORS

$1 Million — HILO HARBOR MODIFICATIONS

HEALTH

$1 Million — HAWAII ISLAND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ADULT DAY CARE FACILITY

$4 Million — KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL; RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES

$1 Million — KOHALA COMMUNITY HOPITAL; RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES

$1.8 Million — HB417: PRIMARY CARE TRAINING PROGRAM AT HILO MEDICAL CENTER

HUMAN SERVICES

$643,000 — THE SALVATION ARMY FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES

JUDICIARY

$9 Million — KONA JUDICIARY COMPLEX

LABOR

$1.2 Million — HAWAII COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL; EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND HANDICAPPED ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS

$1.5 Million — KAHILU THEATRE FOUNDATION; IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING FACILITIES

$30,000 — BRANTLEY CENTER, INC.; RENOVATIONS OF EXISTING FACILITIES IN HONOKA’A

LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

$6.5 Million — PUUANAHULU SHOOTING RANGE FACILITY

ROADS

$7.5 Million — AKONI PULE HIGHWAY, REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING

$4 Million — HAWAII BELT ROAD ROCKFALL PROTECTION & DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AT PAPAALOA

$27.7 Million — QUEEN KAAHUMANU HIGHWAY WIDENING

$15.7 Million — SADDLE ROAD EXTENSION TO KAAHUMANU HWY & MAINTENANCE BASEYARD

$1 Million — IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERSECTION AND SIDEWALK OF MAMANE STREET, HONOKAA

$6.25 Million — PUAINAKO ST. WIDENING/REALIGNMENT, KANOELEHUA AVENUE TO KOMOHANA STREET

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

$2.4 Million — UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PALAMANUI CAMPUS, PHASE I

$2 Million — UHH OFFICE OF MAUNA KEA MANAGEMENT; IMPROVEMENTS AND RENOVATION

$600,000 — NORTH HAWAII EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER; RENOVATIONS

COUNTIES

$5 Million — WAIMEA DISTRICT/REGIONAL PARK; PHASE 1, FOR A ONE-TO-ONE MATCH OF COUNTY FUNDS OF $2.5 MILLION

— Find out more:
www.hawaiisenatemajority.com

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