LIHU‘E — A total of over $223 million in capital-improvement-project funds have been allocated to Kaua‘i in the final version of the state budget that passed out of the Senate and House conference committee on April 19.
The final version of the state’s fiscal year 2022 budget (House Bill 200) covers July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023, and will bring funding for schools, park complexes, port improvements and infrastructure improvements.
“In working with the Kauaʻi delegation — Representatives James Kunane Tokioka, Nadine K. Nakamura and Dee Morikawa — we were able to provide a large amount of monies to address infrastructure issues on Kauaʻi,” said Senate President Ron Kouchi of Lihu‘e in a statement. “These projects will help to stimulate our economy while also improving the quality of life for all who call the Garden Isle home.”
A combined $8.4 million will be used for slope-stabilization on the North Shore, to repair the Hanalei Bridge by replacing deteriorating steel-truss members and painting, and at Lumaha‘i to stabilize the site where a landslide struck earlier this year.
Some school improvements include $27 million to Waimea High School for the design and construction of a gymnasium and related facilities, and $932,000 to Koloa School for various projects, including parking-lot repair, re-roofing and general site improvements.
The Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kauaʻi properties will receive $3 million in FY22 and $5 million in FY23 for new equipment, site improvements and other improvements.
Polihale State Park will receive $1.35 million for management of cultural, environmental and recreational resources, as well as roadway and parking improvements. Another $2.5 million will go toward a state park complex in Koke‘e/Waimea Canyon State Park, for the plans, design and construction. Another $2.7 in FY22 and $5 million in FY23 will go toward road improvements in the park between mileposts 0 and 14.
On the Eastside, in FY22, $2 million in funds have been allocated for repair of Queenlands Crossing along Wailua Access Loop Road. And, if partial matching funds are provided by the county, $14.5 million will go toward the construction of the Kapa‘a Homestead 313-foot water-system tank and other drainage and related improvements. There are also plans to design and construct a new well site for the Wailua-Kapa‘a Water System, listed at 5.2 million.
The Lihu‘e Airport will receive $9.1 million for facility improvements, and $115 million for terminal improvements, over the two years. Additional improvements for Nawiliwili Harbor and Port Allen Harbor have been allocated $4 million between both ports.
Plus, $14.5 million will be allocated over the two years for highway improvements, including to existing intersections, adding guardrails and shoulder improvements and widening the Kaumuali‘i Highway in Lihu‘e west of Maluhia Road.
This story was updated at 10:38 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27 to clarify that Waimea High School received $27 million, not $227 million.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
