HILO — The state budget set to be be finalized Thursday contains $50.4 million in capital improvement projects for West Hawaii, two state representatives said Tuesday. HILO — The state budget set to be be finalized Thursday contains $50.4 million
HILO — The state budget set to be be finalized Thursday contains $50.4 million in capital improvement projects for West Hawaii, two state representatives said Tuesday.
The budget cleared a conference committee of legislators early Saturday morning, Reps. Denny Coffman, D-North Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, Honokohau, and Cindy Evans, D-North Kona, South Kohala, said in a news release.
Some $7.5 million for the West Hawaii Community College at Palamanui is especially welcome, the representatives said.
“I am extremely pleased that the 2012 supplemental budget includes additional capital improvement for West Hawaii facilities,” said Coffman. “In particular, the new community college facilities being constructed a mile north of the airport next to the Palamanui development project is important because it expands the educational opportunities for West Hawaii residents.”
“The community has waited a long time for the funding to build a community college campus in West Hawaii”, added Evans. “Now we have to encourage the university and the governor to make this dream a reality by building it.”
In addition to the community college, money is also pledged for improvements at the Kona International Airport, the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii and small boat harbors and hospitals. In addition, the Big Island will benefit from $250 million being distributed statewide for repair and maintenance of public facilities, including public schools.
“We anticipate that many of the schools in West Hawaii will benefit from the increased repair and maintenance schedule, and this should also create more construction jobs for Hawaii Island,” Evans said.
State Rep. Clift Tsuji, D-South Hilo, Panaewa, Puna, Keaau, Kurtistown, said information for the remainder of the Big island will become available Thursday, after the Legislature votes on the budget and sends it to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his signature.
The major West Hawaii projects:
Kona International Airport at Keahole $10,400,000
West Hawaii Community College – Palamanui $7,500,000
Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority $6,300,000
Honokohau Small Boat Harbor $650,000
Kawaihae Harbor $11,500,000
Kona Community Hospital $6,050,000
Waikoloa Public Library $800,000
Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant $1,000,000
Waimea Irrigation System $40,000
Kohala Mountain Road $3,600,000
Kohala Hospital $2,200,000
Laiopua 2020 $400,000
