MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has announced the release of more than $9.2 million for capital improvement projects (CIP) that will upgrade and improve state hospital facilities and fund water treatment projects across the state.

“These funds will help renovate and maintain facilities that are dedicated to the health and safety of Hawaii’s people,” Abercrombie said. “The planned improvements will include the renovation two hospitals on the neighbor islands that are in desperate need of repair. We are also grateful for the federal funds provided to the state that will be used to construct water treatment facilities throughout our islands.”

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

* $2,200,000 – Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, statewide

Funds will be transferred to the revolving fund to match $10,859,000 in federal funds to provide construction loans to finance wastewater treatment facilities of various capacities and designs. To receive the federal funds, a 20 percent state matching allotment is required.

* $1,825,000 – Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Loan Fund, statewide

Funds will be transferred to the revolving fund to match $8,845,000 in federal funds to provide construction loans to finance drinking water facilities of various capacities and designs. To receive the federal funds, a 20 percent state matching allotment is required.

* $1,800,000 – Hilo Medical Center, Acute Hospital Renovations, Hawaii Island

Construction funds construction to renovate the acute hospital’s patient rooms, bathrooms and office spaces. Water is leaking from patient bathrooms, as a result of cracked shower tiles, into the rooms and walls creating a potentially hazardous environment for patients, visitors and workers.

* $1,500,000 – Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), Lump Sum CIP, statewide

Planning funds to prepare a master plan study for the entire Leahi Hospital campus, including the areas across the street from the Young Building on the lower and upper side of Kilauea Avenue. According to HHSC, the master plan would include new building construction and renovations of existing buildings, expanding long-term care services, and exploring public-private partnerships.

* $1,000,000 – HHSC, Lump Sum CIP, statewide

Construction funds to renovate the entire Kohala Hospital, including parking lot renovations, updating the electrical system and hot water system, and removing the old incinerator.

* $748,000 – Leahi Hospital, Renovation of Vacant University of Hawaii Spaces, Oahu

Design and construction funds to renovate the vacated area to construct office and administrative rooms and work areas for the hospital staff. The renovation projects include removal of equipment, construction of walls, replacement of doors and windows, installation of lighting and electrical systems, and other health and safety improvements.

* $172,000 – Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, Kauai

Additional construction funds to remove asbestos-insulated pipes discovered in a crawl space below the administration wing of the hospital during related work in the nursing unit.