HONOLULU — Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office announced Friday the release of more than $63.7 million for various capital improvement projects as part of his “New Day Plan” to stimulate Hawai‘i’s economy and create jobs. “Working within a balanced budget, we
HONOLULU — Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office announced Friday the release of more than $63.7 million for various capital improvement projects as part of his “New Day Plan” to stimulate Hawai‘i’s economy and create jobs.
“Working within a balanced budget, we recognized projects as either shovel-ready or well-positioned to have the most immediate positive impact on the community,” Abercrombie said in a news release. “With the release of these funds there will be a broad distribution of economic and community benefits on multiple islands, from maintaining or improving vital infrastructure to creating jobs throughout the state.”
The list of 16 projects statewide has one Kaua‘i specific entry: $6 million for a Kapa‘a Elementary School library, to include construction, equipment and works of art.
During a visit to Kaua‘i in May, Abercrombie said he planned to decrease unemployment levels on the Garden Isle by releasing millions of dollars in state funding for projects approved by Legislature.
“We’re vetting $9 million for improvements at the (Lihu‘e) airport, $6 million for improvements at the library at Kapa‘a elementary and $11 million for a new gym at Kaua‘i High School,” Abercrombie said at a Governor’s Luncheon May 13.
But Friday’s list of CIP projects fell $20 million short, with only the mention of $6 million for the library, representing less than 10 percent of the total CIP budget.
“Not yet,” said Donalyn Dela Cruz, deputy director of communications, regarding funding for the airport and the gym. “They’re probably still looking at the funding for that. We’re looking at department requests and requests to come from law makers.
They’ll have to seek additional funding. We submitted a balanced budget to Legislature. It will fall under next years budget, probably. In terms of priority, first and foremost is public safety.”
Dela Cruz said those that could speak specifically to the Kaua‘i project were not available given the holiday weekend, but said, “The fact that the governor is aware of those needs, that’s a good sign.”
