MEDIA RELEASE

The County of Hawaii continues to repair damage caused by the October 2006 earthquakes to facilities, bridges, culverts, roads and highways with costs covered by an insurance policy, the Federal agencies, and a State grant.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated repairs at $3.3 million, excluding repairs for the Department of Water Supply and the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA), $5.339 million with reimbursements from 20% to 25%

Earthquake repairs were completed for Civil Defense, the Office of Housing, Mass Transit, Solid Waste, and Public Works at a cost of $2,003,237.62. FEMA has paid $1,458,944, or 75%, and the County $544,293.00, or 25% as of March 31, 2009.

Scheduled for completion by December 31, 2009, is the culvert and drainage ditch repairs under way by Ludwig Construction at 198 Kukui Street and Nobriga Road above Honoka’a High School. Also under way are the rebuilding of a rock wall and installation of a guardrail at Pu’alaea Place – Cabatu above Tex Drive Inn. Estimated cost for both projects is $73,000.

Public Works is asking FEMA for an extension to October 2010 to complete the design and construction of seven projects:

• Construction at the Waipunahina and the Opihilala Gulch bridges will involve rebuilding the stone walls that collapsed from the 2006 earthquakes. Damages did not warrant closing these bridges. Construction and design costs are expected to be a minimum of $639,000,
• The Kalopa Road-Kimura Culvert and the culvert on the mauka side of Tex Drive Inn in Honoka’a. Estimated cost is $257,355. Work scheduled to begin this summer.
• Kohala ditch bridge, flume repairs
• Shoulder repairs at Mahukona Beach Park
• A bridge embankment in Honoka’a
• Two concrete bridges situated 2 miles east of Da Hana Ranch Road, located between Honoka’a and Waimea town.
• Concrete bridge, one mile west of Punono Road, in Ahualoa, Hamakua

FEMA has granted the County until 2010 to complete the design and construction to Parks and Recreational facilities, and Police and Fire stations in Hilo, Kohala, Puna, Kona and Ka’u.

The insurance company is covering a portion of the cost to repair Hisako Gym, Kohala Pool, Keokea Beach and Park Pavilion, North Kohala Fire Station in Kohala, Pa’auilo Gym and Annex, Laupahoehoe Point Park, Honoka’a Park, Honoka’a Fire Dept, in Hamakua, the South Kona Highway base yard, in North Kona and two transfer stations in Ka’u. FEMA will pay a portion of the cost not covered by the insurance company.

The County applied to the State for two grants. A grant to cover earthquake repairs that exceed insurance costs for Hisako Gym, Keokea Beach and Park Pavilion Pa’auilo Gym and Annex and a second grant to reimburse the County’s 25% cost-share for FEMA projects completed as of June 2009. The County is asking the State to extend the June deadline.

For projects reimbursed by FHWA, the 2006 estimated cost was $5.339 million, of which 80% is FHWA funding and 20% paid by the County of Hawaii.

Remaining FHWA projects in Kona are:

• At mile marker 110.4 on Mamalahoa Highway and on Napo’opo’o Road at mile marker 9 repairs include the guardrail, drainage systems reinforcing the embankment, and repaving the road shoulders. Estimated cost is $590,000.
• At various locations between mileposts 4.5 to 7.0 on Napo’opo’o, retaining walls and slopes will be repaired. Estimated cost is $230,000.
• Public Works is waiting for State approval for earthquake repairs, at milepost 4.4 & milepost 8.9, on Mamalahoa Highway, and the Palani Road Pedestrian Overpass Repairs.