Honokohau Small Boat Harbor (Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office)

MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released of more than $20 million for various capital improvement projects (CIP) administered by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) that invest in state parks, small boat harbors and forestry facilities, as well as protection of watershed and other natural resources.

“These capital improvement projects promote stewardship of Hawaii’s natural resources while investing in state infrastructure and facilities,” Abercrombie said. “In addition to direct improvements to state parks and facilities, several of these priority projects focus on preservation and sustainability over the long-term, while stimulating our economy.”

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

$7,500,000 – Lump Sum Park Improvements, statewide

Planning, design and construction to improve various state parks across the islands, including improvements to infrastructure, facility support, regulatory compliance, and public health and safety

$4,000,000 – Lump Sum Improvements at Boating and Ocean Recreation Facilities, statewide

Enhancement of amenities and safety for workers, visitors and boaters at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor and Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor on Hawaii Island, as well as Port Allen Small Boat Harbor on Kauai; this will include expanded parking areas and access road(s), additional boat wash down facilities, utility, drain and water transmission main improvements, as well as demolition and replacement of existing concrete fixed piers with engineered aluminum floating docks

$2,500,000 – Lump Sum Improvements to Aging and Deteriorating DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Facilities, statewide

Needs assessments, master planning, design of new buildings and infrastructure, environmental assessments, and applicable permitting at the various facilities for native resources and/or fire protection

$2,000,000 – Marine Debris Mitigation, statewide

DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation mitigation projects to remove marine debris in near shore waters and along shorelines

$1,500,000 – Manuka Natural Area Reserve Boundary Fence, Hawaii Island

Construction of an ungulate-proof boundary fence at the Manuka Natural Area Reserve to protect approximately 24,000 acres of watershed, dry forest, and many critically endangered plants and animals

$1,000,000 – Wailoa Small Boat Harbor Dredging, Hawaii Island

Construction for dredging at the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor to remove sand at the harbor’s entrance

$500,000 – State Water Projects Plan Update, statewide

Planning necessary to update the State Water Projects Plan (SWPP) as mandated by the State Water Code; the SWPP, one of the components of the Hawaii Water Plan, was last updated in 2003, and DLNR proposes to use the funds to review current and future water demands of state projects to assist in the orderly authorization and development of the state’s water resources

$500,000 – Dam Assessments, Maintenance and Remediation, statewide

Planning, design and construction for assessments, maintenance and remediation of dams under the jurisdiction of DLNR

$500,000 – Lipoa Point, Land Acquisition, Maui

Due diligence activities to support the land acquisition of Lipoa Point, including title search, property appraisal, and boundary surveys

$25,000 – Maunawili Trail, Oahu

Study to investigate alternatives and costs for a public parking area for the Maunawili Trail in Windward Oahu

Statement from Sen. Solomon

“These are much-needed funds for the improvement of our state parks, harbors and other facilities, and I applaud the governor for releasing the $20 million so that we can start investing and protecting our natural resources. One of these important projects is the $2 million for mitigation projects to address the damage marine debris has caused and will continue to cause along our coastlines. I’m also particularly pleased to see the release of funds for the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor and the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor on Hawaii Island. We need to continue to keep our parks, harbors and other recreational areas safe for our families.”

Sen. Malama Solomon
Chair of the Senate Committee on Water and Land
District 4 – Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona