LIHUE — Kauai legislators secured over $181 million in Capital Improvement Project funds for the Garden Isle for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. That is $40 million more than what was received in the last biennium, according to a release
LIHUE — Kauai legislators secured over $181 million in Capital Improvement Project funds for the Garden Isle for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
That is $40 million more than what was received in the last biennium, according to a release from the Hawaii Legislature.
“The Kauai legislative team stays in touch with state and county agencies, so we can work together to get priority projects funded,” said Rep. Dee Morikawa, D-16.
Projects for Kuhio Highway, Lihue Airport, and Kaumualii Highway received the most funding — $67.6 million, $42.6 million, and $28.2 million respectively.
“I’m very pleased with the amount the Kauai delegation secured for our island,” said Rep. Nadine Nakamura, D-14. “There’s a huge backlog in deferred maintenance and the CIP budget reflects the need to address our roads, bridges, parks and boat ramps.”
Notable CIP projects are:
• $25 million for the rehabilitation/replacement of Waioli Stream Bridge, Waipa Stream Bridge, and Waikoko Stream Bridge on Kuhio Highway.
• $21.2 million for plans and land acquisition for parcels near Lihue Airport.
• $17.8 million for the design and construction for ticket lobby and holdroom improvements at Lihue Airport.
• $17 million for Mailihuna Road intersection safety improvements and rehabilitation/replacement of Kapaa Stream Bridge on Kuhio Highway.
• $16.2 million for land acquisition and construction for rehabilitating Omao Bridge on Kaumualii Highway.
• $13.2 million for the construction of new housing unit and related improvements at Kauai Correctional Community Center.
• $12 million for Hanapepe River Bridge rehabilitation/replacement on Kaumualii Highway.
• $10 million for Kapaia Stream Bridge rehabilitation/replacement on Kuhio Highway.
“It helps when the Kauai delegation works together, and it really, really helps when your only Kauai senator is Senate president,” said Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, D-15.
The locker rooms at Kauai High School and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital will also go through renovations to the tune of $200,000 and $500,000 respectively.
“Many of these CIP projects are needed to address safety issues, and we are very fortunate to get these projects funded,” Morikawa said. “There are so many more improvements we need to take care of and we will continue to pursue as much funding as possible.”
Kauai lawmakers also secured $1.3 million in Grants-In-Aid CIP for Kauai nonprofit organizations. GIA funds will go to Waioli Corporation to construct a rail-line restoration and education exhibit, $550,000; Kauai Habitat for Humanity Inc. to construct affordable housing for low-income families on Kauai, $500,000; Aina Ho’okupu O Kilauea to plan and build a water supply line and on-site filter and distribution system, $250,000 and Hui O Laka to renovate historic state-owned buildings, $25,000
