GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $2 MILLION FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT LAVA TREE STATE MONUMENT ON THE BIG ISLAND
For Immediate Release: March 24, 2008
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $2 million for improvements at Lava Tree State Monument on the Big Island near Pāhoa.
Facilities at the 17-acre park have suffered from age, the effects of weather, vandalism, falling Albizia trees and root intrusion. This project will repave the parking entrance and parking lot, reconstruct portions of the 0.7-mile loop trail to meet accessibility guidelines, replace interpretive displays, re-roof the picnic pavilion, fence portions of the park’s volcanic chasm that remain exposed to park users, remove plant hazards, and upgrade the comfort station, including plumbing improvements.
“The condition of our state parks remains a priority for my Administration,” said Governor Lingle. “These improvements will enhance the overall park experience for residents and visitors who want to explore the Lava Tree State Monument and appreciate our islands’ natural beauty.”
This allotment includes $200,000 for design and $1.8 million for construction. Design is scheduled to begin in July 2008 and be completed in July 2009. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2010 and be completed in March 2011.
A separate project constructing accessibility improvements at Lava Tree State Monument is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in August 2008.
The park improvements are part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s multi-year initiative to repair, replace or improve facilities at state parks. Initiated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources in 2005, the upgrades represent the first major reconstruction of park facilities since the state parks system was established more than 40 years ago. There are 69 state parks on the Big Island, Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu.
The Administration is requesting an additional $5 million in its fiscal year 2009 supplemental budget to continue improvements and upgrades to state park facilities statewide.
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For more information, contact:
Laura H. Thielen
Director, DLNR
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
