MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has announced the release of more than $147 million for design, construction and administration of various Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) statewide, including work to decrease repair, maintenance and upgrade backlogs that over years have accumulated at public schools, the University of Hawaii, health facilities, and the Hawaii State Capitol.

“These CIP projects are part of an economic strategy that has already put our state back on track toward economic recovery,” Abercrombie said. “Since the start of 2012, my administration has announced the release of more than $732 million for CIPs selected for their potential to immediately address priority work while stimulating the economy and generating job opportunities for residents. More than $187 million of this has been for public school facilities across the state.”

Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the governor:

Education

* $75,000,000 – Various Schools, statewide – Design, construction and works of art for school repairs and maintenance for schools statewide; projects include reroofing, electrical upgrades, plumbing, and other school repairs and renovations (DOE’s estimated backlog for repair and maintenance is currently $382 million)

* $6,750,000 – Stevenson Middle School, Oahu – Additional construction funds to complete the school’s multipurpose educational facility; the project is based on a learning curriculum focused on science and a team teaching approach and will include a flexible multipurpose space to accommodate large instructional meetings (Existing facilities are too small for meetings having more than 25 participants)

* $4,940,000 – DOE project positions, statewide – Fiscal Year 2013 staffing costs for 58 project-funded positions to provide the technical and clerical support necessary to adequately address CIP needs

* $2,500,000 – Kailua High School, Oahu – Design and construction for removal and replacement of bleachers and storage rooms for the soccer/football field at Kailua High School; DOE plans to replace the visitor side bleachers with concrete bleachers, provide a handicapped accessible path, and construct permanent storage for football and track equipment

* $600,000 – Radford High School, Oahu – Additional construction to upgrade the all-weather track from six to eight lanes, and to provide renovations to bleachers due to the larger track layout

* $550,000 – Kalani High School, Oahu – Design for girls locker room/shower building to achieve gender equity per Title IX

* $200,000 – Lunalilo Elementary, Oahu – Resurfacing of worn basketball courts and replacement of aged, outdated and non-functioning play equipment; this project will allow for multi-sport courts and provide removable equipment to support various games

University of Hawaii

* $12,500,000 – UH Manoa Athletic Facilities, O’ahu – Design and construction for projects including the Physical Education/Athletics Complex, football video platforms, Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Stan Sheriff Center Complex, Les Murakami Stadium, Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex, and Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

* $5,000,000 – Minor Capital Improvement Program Projects for Campuses of the Community College System, statewide – Design and construction for building renovations at Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, Kauai Community College, and Leeward Community College

* $825,000 – UH Manoa Richardson Law School, Oahu – Design and construction as part of the law school’s master plan for expansion of the west (Phase I) and east (Phase II) buildings; this allotment will be used to design west wing improvements to the classroom/administrative building, public entry, community clinic, and faculty suites

Health

* $7,100,000 – Hospital Information System/Electronic Medical Record System, statewide – Equipment and implementation of system elements as required to help ensure continued receipt of Medicaid and Medicare incentive funds

* $1,000,000 – Maui Memorial Medical Center, Maui – Construction and equipment for the upgrade of medical center’s fire alarm system; Phase I focuses on changing fire safety devices to maintain fire codes; Phase 2 will focus on the fire sprinklers, fire extinguishing systems, smoke detectors, and signage

* $50,500 – Leahi Hospital, Oahu – Repair and maintenance, including replacement of the hospital’s electrical transformer

Transportation

* $12,000,000 – Kahului Airport, Maui – Acquisition of remaining parcels of land adjacent to airport to ensure compatible land use for airport and aircraft operations

* $7,440,000 (and $29,760,000 federal funds) – Hawaii Belt Road, Rehabilitation of Umauma Stream Bridge, Hawaii Island – Construction of new concrete towers to support bridge loading requirements, widening of the existing bridge deck, correcting existing roadway deficiencies, and reconstructing bridge railings to meet current safety standards

Other

* $8,000,000 – Hawaii State Capitol, Oahu – Construction to replace the roof/deck, install waterproofing and resealing, and upgrade other related improvements to the Capitol building; the project is being coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Division because the Capitol is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places

* $2,576,292 – DLNR project positions, statewide – Fiscal Year 2013 staffing and associated costs for project-funded positions necessary to adequately address CIP needs; projects undertaken by the CIP staff include those for ADA compliance, water and land development, forest and wildlife resources, water resources management, conservation and resources enforcement, park development and operation, ocean-based recreation, park interpretation, flood control, and public lands management