Governor releases $39M for facility improvements at UH campuses

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Gov. Neil Abercrombie recently announced the release of $39 million to the University of Hawaii System for capital improvement projects at various campuses, including UH-Hilo and Hawaii Community College.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie recently announced the release of $39 million to the University of Hawaii System for capital improvement projects at various campuses, including UH-Hilo and Hawaii Community College.

“These projects, at campuses from Lihue to Hilo, are long-term investments in our state university system, an anchor of our island community,” Abercrombie said in a prepared statement. “They address needed repairs, maintenance and upgrades to ensure functional academic environments and accessible, affordable higher education opportunities for the people of Hawaii.”

Some $29 million will fund construction for health and safety projects at UH-Manoa and UH-Hilo, according to Abercrombie. Projects at UH-Hilo include a lead roof replacement at Hale Kehau, Kawili Street pedestrian overpass, emergency shelter, traffic safety improvements at Panaewa Farms, sidewalk/crosswalk upgrades at Kapiolani and Lanikaula streets, and emergency generators. UH-Manoa projects include accessibility improvements, sewer and storm drain upgrades, health and safety improvements at Lyon Arboretum, and walkway upgrades.

The governor also appropriated $10 million for minor capital improvement projects for community college campuses statewide. The funding also covers renewal and deferred maintenance projects. Among the work that will be completed are renovation of the cafeteria at Honolulu Community College, refurbishment of Ohia Auditorium at Kapiolani Community College, renovation of the Diamond Head portables at Leeward Community College, renovation of storage space to science lab/classroom at Hawaii Community College, renovation of the former Ceramics Building at Maui Community College, and renovation of the Fine Arts I Building at Kauai Community College.