GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $71,439 FOR SOFTBALL FIELDS AT KING KEKAULIKE, LAHAINALUNA AND MAUI HIGH SCHOOLS

For Immediate Release:  March 3, 2006

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $71,439 in additional construction funds for improvements to three softball fields, one each at King Kekaulike, Lahainaluna, and Maui High Schools.  These funds are needed to comply with changes required by the State Disability Communication Access Board.

Providing softball fields at King Kekaulike, Lahainaluna, and Maui High Schools fulfills the federal gender equity requirements and American’s with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements.  It allows female athletes to practice at their home school instead of community parks.

“The provision of softball fields for Maui high schools is important to increasing opportunities for our female athletes,” said Governor Lingle.  “It will be a source of pride for our schools and their communities.” 

This project falls under priority number 29 of 30 identified in the Department of Education’s $100 million Capital Improvement Projects implementation plan dated November 18, 2005.  The total project cost is $3,198,439 and is expected to be completed this month. 

Over the past year, Governor Lingle has released funds for softball field construction and improvements at various schools around the state, including Radford, Waipahu, Kapa`a, Kaiser, Kailua, Baldwin, and McKinley.

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus    
Senior Advisor – Communications    
Phone:  (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043