You are here: Home → News Room → In the Community → 2008 → July → Hawai`i Leads By Example

Hawai`i Leads By Example

— filed under:

As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's efforts to invest in critical infrastructure improvements, and in keeping with the National Governors Association's focus for 2009, Governor Lingle released $70 million for the long-overdue repair and modernization of infrastructure statewide.

Hawai`i Leads By Example

Aerial view of Ma`alea Harbor.

The investments are part of the Administration's ongoing commitment to accelerate capital improvement programs to invest in the long-overdue repair and modernization of infrastructure statewide. The projects will also promote construction activity to stimulate the economy.

This commitment to improving infrastructure is shared by the newly-installed Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), Governor Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania.

"[Our country faces a significant challenge in the] rebuilding of its infrastructure, and over the coming year I'm going to make this American challenge the focus of my NGA Chair's Initiative," he said during the closing plenary session of the NGA's Centennial Meeting this week in Philadelphia.

Statewide Classroom Renovations

Governor Lingle released $30 million for the construction of classroom renovations at public schools statewide.

"We must continue to invest in our schools so that Hawai`i students and teachers have modern and well-equipped facilities in which to teach and learn," said Governor Lingle. "By enhancing our students' education, the entire state benefits."

Improvements will include the replacement of light fixtures, windows, flooring, doors, whiteboards, tack boards, and room signage, as well as repainting.

  • Read more about this release of funds.

Correctional Facility Improvements

Governor Lingle released $16,364,400 to finance improvement projects at correctional facilities statewide, including the relocation of the Maui Community Correctional Center to Pu`unene.

Of the $16 million released by Governor Lingle for improvements to correctional facilities statewide, $9 million will be spent on the design of a new Maui Regional Public Safety Complex to be constructed at a 38.8-acre site in Pu`unene. The new facility, which will house more than 840 inmates, will replace the existing overcrowded Maui Community Correctional Center at Wailuku by 2012.

"Improvements to our correctional facilities will help ensure the health and safety of inmates and public safety employees, as well as the overall security of the surrounding communities," said Governor Lingle. "The repairs and upgrades will also increase the operational efficiencies of our correctional facilities."

Small Boat Harbor Upgrades

Governor Lingle released $15,021,000 for improvements to the Ma`alaea Small Boat Harbor and Hana Boat Ramp on Maui as part of the Administration's multi-year effort to upgrade small boat harbor facilities statewide.

The $10 million released for Ma`alaea Small Boat Harbor will enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to continue improvements, including sewage pump-out and electrical upgrades, as well as reconstruction of the existing ferry terminal building and harbor infrastructure.

In addition, $5,760,000 will be spent on the construction of multiple sewage pump-outs and related improvements for the disposal of sewage from vessels utilizing the harbor. Currently, there are no such facilities at the harbor, and boaters dump untreated sewage into the ocean or have it pumped out by a private sewage pump truck.

The improvements are part of the Administration's multi-year effort to upgrade small boat harbor facilities statewide.

Airports and Passenger Ship Facility Projects 

The Governor also released $7,105,000 to provide an additional 563 public and employee parking spaces at Kona International Airport and $296,983 for the construction of a non-invasive, passenger screening system capable of detecting improvised explosive devices at passenger ship facilities statewide. Also this week, the Department of Transportation announced it is moving forward on a $2.5 million to upgrade terminal operations at Kahului Airport and install a new, fully-integrated in-line Explosive Detection System for enhanced baggage security screening.

Document Actions