Kawamura presents governor’s Kaua‘i projects list

More than $80 million in capital improvement projects for Kaua‘i are proposed in Gov. Lingle’s $8 billion biennium budget for fiscal years 2006-2007, a top state officials told Kauaians last night.

Key Kaua‘i projects in Lingle’s budget are: Replacing the Wainiha bridges, installing new security fences around the Lihu‘e Airport and upgrading the electrical systems at the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and Samuel Mahelona Hospital, said Georgina Kawamura, the state’s director of Budget and Finance.

Funding these projects and 20 others would help Kaua‘i meet growth demands on island infrastructure and would enhance public services, Kawamura told a meeting of the Governor’s Kauai Advisory Committee held at the Lihu‘e Civic Center Thursday.

Kawamura was the keynote speaker, and she responded to questions from the committee and residents about government budgeting and the process for the release of funds.

Among other major projects on Kaua‘i that Lingle would like to see funded by the state Legislature are restoring a dumpsite at Ahukini, making modifications at Nawiliwili Harbor, making navigational improvements at Nawiliwili Harbor and at Port Allen Harbor, making guardrail and shoulder improvements along state highways, replacing the Wai‘oli, Waipa and Waikoko stream bridges, replacing the Kapaia Bridge and strengthening the Nawiliwili Bridge.

In addition, Lingle is asking for $10 million for state park improvements across Hawai‘i, Kawamura said. Kaua‘i County could be eligible for some of those funds as well, according to Laurie Yoshida, Gov. Lingle’s liaison on Kaua‘i.

Of the $80 million that would be needed to fund the capital improvement projects, $57 million would come from federal sources and $23 million would generally come from state sources, Kawamura said.

Whether any of the projects are built or are implemented.