MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released more than $12.9 million for capital improvement projects (CIPs) that include priority work at National Guard and State Civil Defense facilities, repairs and energy cost-saving measures for health facilities, and a new home for the Youth Challenge Academy program on the Big Island.

“Our recent brush with Tropical Storm Flossie highlights the need for enhanced National Guard, emergency management and health facilities, and these funds will strengthen our state’s disaster preparedness capabilities,” Abercrombie said.

“The Youth Challenge Academy program, by working with island youth, is likewise an investment in the self-reliance of our future community members and leaders,” he said. “I thank our state legislators for recognizing these projects that improve our ability to serve the people of Hawaii.”

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

National Guard / Civil Defense

* $5,900,000 – Keaukaha Military Reservation, Hawaii Island – Construction of one, 100-person billet to house the cadets of the Youth Challenge Academy at the Keaukaha Military Reservation (KMR), as well as renovation of Building 621 for the addition of restrooms and other miscellaneous facility and infrastructure improvements (The relocation of the Hawaii National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy campus on the Big Island from the Kulani Correctional Facility to KMR is expected to provide cost savings, mostly from utilities, that directly translate into the potential for increasing the number of cadets allowed into the program; additional benefits include improved proximity to medical facilities in Hilo and National Guard resources and personnel)

* $4,050,000 – National Guard Facilities, statewide – Design and construction for upgrades and improvements to National Guard facilities statewide, including major renovations in the mauka and makai wings of Building 46 at Kalaeloa, Oahu (electrical, water, sewer, and air conditioning)

* $500,000 – Army Guard Facilities, Oahu – Construction to renovate Hawaii Army National Guard Facilities at Kalaeloa, Oahu, including renovation of Buildings 282 and 1784, as well as various utilities improvements (These funds are necessary in order to receive federal funds; total project cost is $19,800,000 with $2,300,000 in state funds and $16,500,000 in federal funds)

* $225,000 – State Civil Defense, Building 303, Oahu – Design and construction to provide exterior building hardening improvements at Building 303, which houses the Emergency Operating Center Annex, the State Media Center, Joint Information Center, administrative offices, and emergency equipment and supplies within Diamond Head Crater; the project includes upgrades to the roof, walls, windows, doors, and other building components that are vulnerable to high winds and flying debris (These funds are necessary in order to receive federal funds; total project cost is $900,000 with $225,000 in state funds and $675,000 in federal funds)

Health Facilities

* $1,000,000 – Leahi Hospital, Oahu – Design, construction and equipment to install a photovoltaic system to reduce electricity costs

* $650,000 – Maluhia Hospital, Oahu – Design and construction to replace existing windows that have deteriorated and need to be replaced to improve the building envelope

* $535,000 – Maluhia Hospital, Oahu – Replacement of the existing retaining wall along Keola Road that has deteriorated

* $75,000 – Hale Hoola Hamakua Hospital, Hawaii Island – Completion of an energy audit and installation of energy-saving equipment such as variable frequency drives, controlling devices or programs, or modify existing systems