KAIAKEA — Plans are being made for the opening of Kaua‘i’s newest fire station, located midway between Kapa‘a and Kealia, a county news release states. Originally set to open in February 2011, the Kaiakea fire station is now scheduled to
KAIAKEA — Plans are being made for the opening of Kaua‘i’s newest fire station, located midway between Kapa‘a and Kealia, a county news release states.
Originally set to open in February 2011, the Kaiakea fire station is now scheduled to begin operations on Sept. 1.
The 6,573-square-foot facility will be the eighth fire station on the island and the second one in the Kawaihau district.
Unlimited Builders was awarded a $4.7 million contract for this construction project.
“We are looking forward to the opening of this much-needed fire station,” said Kaua’i Fire Chief Robert Westerman. “Over the past several years, the Kawaihau district received approximately 25 percent of the call load for the entire island, making it the busiest district on Kaua’i and it doesn’t appear to be abating.”
Fifteen firefighters covering three shifts will be assigned to the new station.
A separate energy project for the facility is being built with American Reinvestment and Recovery Act stimulus money through a $267,900 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The EECBG funds will be used to purchase and install a roof and/or ground mounted photovoltaic power system, which will be one of the first renewable energy systems at a county facility.
The system is expected to reduce total facility energy use by approximately 40,740 kWh of fossil-fueled generation per year, the release states.
Throughout the planning and design phases for the Kaiakea fire station, energy-efficiency was a priority, and elements designed to maximize the value of the PV power produced have been incorporated into the station, including: efficient lighting; building insulation; controls, switches and timers; high efficiency air conditioning units; reflective exterior paint and solar water heating.
The name for the facility was suggested following extensive research by community member Kalei Arinaga and approved by Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr.
“I want to thank Kalei for assisting us with the research and helping to ensure that we are properly acknowledging the historic place name for that location,” said the mayor.
Previously the facility had been referred to as the Kealia fire station.
