State budget includes $331M for Hawaii Island projects

Big Island representatives secured more than $331 million in Capital Improvement Project funding for the biennium of fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for various projects across Hawaii County. The state Legislature recently passed the budget.

Hawaii lawmakers were also able to secure $5.4 million in Grants-In-Aid CIP for Big Island nonprofit organizations.

Notable CIP funding highlights for Hawaii County include:

• $89 million for extending the Daniel K. Inouye Highway

• $54.7 million for Hawaii Belt Road improvements

• $40 million for Keaau-Pahoa Road improvements

• $20.8 million for Mamalahoa Highway road and bridge improvements

• $19.3 million for Hilo International Airport improvements

• $14.8 million for Kona International Airport improvements

• $13.2 million for Hawaii Community Correctional Center for medium security housing

• $13 million to replace 4 mile Creek Bridge $8 million for Kawaihae Road improvements

• $4.5 million for Hilo Counseling Center and Keawe Health Center Improvements

• $4.4 million for Hilo High School track &field, auditorium and locker room improvements

• $3.6 million for Kealakehe High School track, performing arts center and gym design and improvements

• $3 million for air conditioning improvements at the University of Hawaii at Hilo

• $3 million for Akoni Pule Highway realignment and widening

• $2.5 million for Waiakeawaena Elementary School cafeteria and administrative buildings

• $2.5 million for Keaukaha Military Reservation maintenance shop projects

• $2 million for Hilo Medical Center Telehealth unit

• $2 million for Hawaiian Home Lands lot development in Kaumana and Kau

• $1.5 million for Honokaa High School for covered walkways

• $1.2 million for Naalehu Elementary School covered walkways

• $1.1 million for paving and drainage improvements at Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor

• $1 million for Upolu Airport improvements

• $1 million for Kohala High School gymnasium

• $850,000 for West Hawaii Veteran’s Center plan, design and construction of a veteran’s center

• $700,000 for Hawaii Community College trades and apprenticeship program and physics lab classroom

• $700,000 for Kohala Middle School dual use play court/assembly area

In addition to the executive budget CIP funding, appropriations for Grants-In-Aid were also awarded to organizations for the benefit of the Hawaii Island community:

• $925,000 for West Hawaii Community Health Center to build a health care facility

• $800,000 for Waimea Nui Community Development Corp. to build a community agricultural park

• $800,000 for Hamakua Health Center to build a new health center

• $698,000 for Island of Hawaii YMCA repairs to the Hilo YMCA

• $605,000 for Pacific Well Drilling and Pump Services for equipment

• $500,000 for Kailapa Community Association to build a resource center

• $500,000 for Laiopua 2020 to build a community center

• $200,000 for Hawaii Island Community Development Corp. to build a new adult day care center

• $130,000 for Friends of Palace Theater air conditioning system

• $100,000 for Aloha Performing Arts Company for Aloha Theatre renovations

• $100,000 for Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii to build affordable housing for low-income families in West Hawaii

• $91,000 for Arts &Sciences Center fire alarm system