MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has announced the release of more than $63.7 million for various Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that, as part of his New Day Plan, will serve to further stimulate the economy, create jobs and invest in the people of Hawaii.

“Working within a balanced budget, we recognized projects as either shovel-ready or well positioned to have the most immediate positive impact on the community,” Abercrombie said. “With the release of these funds there will be a broad distribution of economic and community benefits on multiple islands, from maintaining or improving vital infrastructure to creating jobs throughout the state.”

These projects were identified by members of the state Legislature.

Education

* $16,000,000 – University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hawaii Island — Student housing at University Village, a 33-acre parcel allotted to help accommodate increasing student housing demand

* $6,000,000 — Kapaa Elementary School Library, Kauai – Construction, equipment and works of art for new library building

Transportation

* $12,800,000 — Honolulu International Airport — Reversion of unrequired revenue funds to high-priority airports projects.

* $7,000,000 — Honoapiilani Highway, Maui — Emergency shoreline repair and protection improvements to tsunami-affected area

* $2,000,000 — Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, Oahu — Replacement of piers, catwalks, approaches and the floating dock system

* $500,000 — Kahului Airport, Maui – Design for parking lot expansion

* $167,500 — H-1 Freeway, Pearl Harbor Interchange, Oahu — Traffic cameras and communication infrastructure

Health

* $2,715,000 — Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund, Statewide – Construction loan financing to Hawaii’s four counties for safe drinking water infrastructure projects (note: funds fulfill 20 percent state match required for $13,573,000 in federal funds)

* $2,000,000 — Maui Memorial Medical Center, Molokai – Reversion of funds for equipment

Housing

* $10,000,000 — Rental Housing Trust Fund (RHTF), Statewide — Infusion to provide “equity gap” financing for developers of affordable rental projects

* $245,473 — Mayor Wright Homes, Oahu, and Ke Kumu Ekolu, Hawaii Island – Repair, maintenance, renovations and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.

Civil Defense

* $1,800,000 — Army Guard Facilities, Oahu — Renovation of Buildings 46 and 1784 at Kalaeloa, Oahu

* $1,400,000 — National Guard Facilities, Statewide — Upgrades and improvements to National Guard Emergency Operations Center at Battery 407, Building 46 at Kalaeloa, facilities at Ford Ruger, Wahiawa Armory and Kapaa Armory (Kauai), and infrastructure at Keaukaha Military Reservation

* $235,300 — Ka’u High and Pahala Elementary Gymnasium / FEMA-Certified Civil Defense Shelter, Hawaii Island — Additional funds for design (note: $17.9 million was previously released for design and construction)

Other Projects

* $500,000 — The Cathedral of St. Andrew, Oahu — Restoration of portion of Davies Hall

* $333,000 — Keelikolani Building, Oahu – Air conditioning for Tax Department computer room