GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $1 MILLION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HAWAI`I STATE VETERANS CEMETERY

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2009

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $1,050,000 for improvements to the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery in Kāne‘ohe.

This project is part of the $1.87 billion public infrastructure construction plan unveiled by Governor Lingle in December 2008 to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Progress of all 1,521 projects included in the plan can be tracked on the Governor’s website at www.hawaii.gov/cip.

The Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery estimates that available columbarium niches to hold urns could be depleted before this summer. Project work includes the construction of more than 2,000 additional niches in order to provide veterans and their families with the option of being interred at the cemetery. Project funds will also be used to build a soil storage facility to shelter backfill material used for graves. Currently, the backfill stockpiles are stored in the open and exposed to rain.

The $1,050,000 released by Governor Lingle consists of general obligation bond funds previously appropriated by the Legislature. Construction on the columbarium niches is expected to begin in April 2009 and be completed in October 2009. Construction on the soil storage facility is expected to begin in August 2009 and be completed in July 2010.

The Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery is the final resting place of 8,055 Hawai‘i veterans and their eligible family members.

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For more information, contact:
Mark Moses
Director, Office Veterans Services
Phone: (808) 433-0422

Russ Saito
Comptroller, DAGS
Phone: (808) 586-0400

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

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