GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $1.25 MILLION FOR MACKENZIE STATE PARK ON THE BIG ISLAND

For Immediate Release:  February 15, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $1.25 million for new restrooms and accessibility improvements at MacKenzie State Park on the Big Island. The project is part of a multi-year initiative undertaken by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to repair, replace or improve facilities at state parks, the first such comprehensive effort in 40 years.

“MacKenzie State Park is one of several places in East Hawai‘i where visitors and residents can enjoy the beauty of the Big Island,” said Governor Lingle. “These improvements will help ensure the safety of park users and make the park facilities more accessible.”

The park’s current restrooms use a pit system that was installed more than 40 years ago and needs to be replaced. In addition, there are no paved walkways providing access to the park’s picnic pavilion or restrooms. Project funds will be used to replace the restrooms’ cesspool with a new composting treatment system and for improvements to the parking area, pavilion and pathways that will make the park more easily accessible to all visitors.

Design completion is scheduled for December 2008, to be followed by bid solicitations, awarding of the contract, material orders and the scheduling of work crews. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2009 and be completed by October 2010.

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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