LINGLE-AIONA ADMINISTRATION RELEASES $560,000 FOR KAUA`I

HONOLULU – Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. and Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste today announced the release of $560,000 in state general obligation bond funds to design and construct an adolescent residential drug treatment facility on Kaua`i.

Governor Linda Lingle approved the release of the funds that were included in the Supplemental Appropriations Act (Act 41, SLH 2004) to help Kaua`i County offset expenses to design and construct the facility. The total project cost is approximately $1,110,000, funded with $560,000 in state funds and $550,000 in matching funds.

The release of the state funds is contingent upon written confirmation for the $550,000 in matching funds. To date, the county has collected $50,000 in private donations.

“This new facility will fill a long overdue need to provide treatment on Kaua`i for adolescents with substance abuse problems,” said Lt. Governor Aiona who joined Mayor Baptiste on Kaua`i to make today’s announcement. “The residential treatment facility will enable youth to remain on the island to receive effective drug treatment services. Governor Lingle and I want to thank Mayor Baptiste for his ongoing commitment to work with the state and the community to find solutions to illegal substance abuse on Kaua`i. In particular, we appreciate his effort to let us know how important this treatment facility is to the long-term drug control effort on this island.”

Mayor Baptiste noted that since Hurricane Iniki in 1992, Kaua`i has had no residential treatment facility of any kind, leaving residents to rely on outpatient services or facilities on other islands and the mainland.

“It’s crucial for our youth to remain on Kaua`i where they will have the support of family and friends who can help them in their healing process,” said Mayor Baptiste. “The timing of this treatment facility is important as we prepare for the start of a Drug Court and a possible adolescent Drug Court on Kaua`i. We appreciate the Administration’s commitment to partner with the county to help Kaua`i residents, especially our youth, who need residential drug treatment services.”

The new adolescent treatment facility will be located on approximately 1.2 acres of state land that had previously been used by the county to operate the old Hanapepe Humane Society. In anticipation of the residential treatment facility being built, Governor Lingle signed an executive order in April of this year to change the designated use of the property.

Plans call for two existing buildings on the property to be renovated for administrative office space, meeting rooms, a kitchen and storage. Two county-owned portable buildings, each approximately 1,500 square-feet, will be transported to the site and renovated into eight-bed units, for a total of 16 beds. A third portable building will be used for common areas.

The new facility is expected to be self-sustaining based on patient revenues, including self-pay patients and payments made by insurance companies as well as state and federal agencies for substance abuse services.

Mayor Baptiste said the county expects to submit applications for permits by December, with construction set to begin in February.