KAPAA — Micahel Searle, visiting from Florida, remembers Mailihuna Road. “I used to live in Kapaa,” Searle said. “One of the last times I used Mailihuna, I dropped a load of sheet rock. I’m glad they’re going to improve the
KAPAA — Micahel Searle, visiting from Florida, remembers Mailihuna Road.
“I used to live in Kapaa,” Searle said. “One of the last times I used Mailihuna, I dropped a load of sheet rock. I’m glad they’re going to improve the intersection with Kuhio Highway.”
The project is one of three on Kauai being funded by the $40 million in Capital Improvement Project funds released by Gov. David Ige on Thursday.
The funds will be administered by various state departments and agencies.
“Building a Hawaii we are proud to call home requires us to maintain and improve state facilities,” Ige said in a press release. “These priority projects are investments that will boost our economy and better serve Hawaii’s people.”
The Mailihuna Road and Kapaa Stream Bridge improvements have a price tag of $80,000.
Other projects being funded by the CIP funds release include $1.3 million for the finance planning, design and construction of improvements to the Kilauea Elementary School waterline, and $60,000 for the Kaumualii Highway, Hanapepe River Bridge, which will either replace or rehabilitate the bridge along Kaumualii Highway.
“Funds spent now to repair and maintain the state’s housing facilities and schools will reduce project backlogs and prevent the maintenance requirements from becoming more significant in the coming years,” Ige said. “More importantly, they will support families and children, allowing them to thrive.”
Ige said the airport projects will enhance the operation and safety of the major gateways to the islands, and the highway improvements are necessary for the safety of all who travel on the roadways.
Oahu received around $25 million, Maui around $4.5 million and Hawaii Island around $4 million and $1.1 million went to Hawaii Public Housing Authority.
“Airports and highways must be maintained not only for our residents, but also for our visitors as they are the welcoming face to our state and help support Hawaii’s economic vitality,” the governor said.
