LIHU‘E — Members of the House Finance Committee and the Kauai legislative team recently visited the Garden Island to view firsthand several projects and programs, which are supported by the Hawai‘i Legislature.
Finance Committe Chair Kyle T. Yamashita was joined by House Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura, House Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa and Rep. Luke A. Evslin for the visit on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
Finance Committee members met with stakeholders to learn about community needs and identify key priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
One of the stops included the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana, where the group listened to discussions on PMRF’s mission as a testing and training range and its economic impact as a top employer on the island.
There were also discussions about programs to preserve and protect cultural and natural resources located on the military installation, and community partnerships to support educational, economic and environmental projects.
“We were honored to host members of the Hawai‘i House of Representatives Finance Committee, and the Kaua‘i state lawmakers, to share the work we are doing on topics of importance to us and the broader island community,” said PMRF Commanding Officer Navy Capt. Brett Stevenson.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to discuss how we can work together to support our nation’s defense and strengthen the important bonds between our installation and the community of Kaua‘i.
“While our mission is about training warfighters and ensuring they have the tools and capabilities to protect our homeland, at the end of the day, we are about the people who are part of our PMRF ‘ohana and the communities in which we live and serve.”
Federal grants with the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program were also discussed. The grants bring in millions of dollars to support environmental protection for the Honopu Valley bird sanctuary, Nohili Dunes restoration and creating wetland habitat along the Mana Plain.
The Finance Committee also took a trip to Wailua Reservoir for an update from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Land Division. The update focused on agricultural uses, dam safety concerns, infrastructure maintenance and the preservation of wildlife habitat for endangered birds.
“The reservoir and associated ditch system provide incredible value to the community, including ensuring the viability of agriculture on the east side, a source of water for fire protection, reduced potential for downstream flooding, bountiful recreational fishing resources, and endangered waterbird habitat,” Evslin said.
“I’m hopeful that we can work together to ensure the preservation and maintenance of the system for future generations.”
Ha‘ena State Park
The Ha‘ena State Park serves as a model for other state parks and natural resources striving to strike a balance between sustainable park management, accomodaating visitors, and addressing the needs of the local community.
In years prior to the implementation of the Ha‘ena State Park Master Plan, the community grappled with challenges posed by an influx of vehicles and visitors creating safety hazards, disruption of fragile ecosystems and depletion of fisheries.
At its peak, it was the third-most visited state park with between 2,000 to 3,000 visitors a day.
“Implementation of the Ha‘ena State Park Master Plan was the result of years of collaborative efforts and strong community leadership,” Nakamura said. “We anticipate that it will stand as a blueprint to communities who seek to implement a similar model to its heavily-trafficked natural resources.”
Kekaha Elementary School
During a visit to the Kekaha Elementary School, described as holding a student body of just over 300 students in pre-kindergarten to Grade 5, House members were able to observe significant improvements implemented following a $2 million appropriation in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget by the Legislature.
The funding supported essential repairs and maintenance of the school’s buildings, including improvements to the cafeteria, basketball court and other facilities.
In the FY 2024 budget, the Legislature has allocated $4.4 million for the planning, design, and construction of a covered play court, which aims to provide a shaded area so keiki can engage in outdoor activities while being shielded from the sun.
Waimea High School
The Finance Committee also stopped at Waimea High School to meet with educators and learn about the school’s ongoing projects. That includes building a gym that can better accommodate student-athletes and provide adequate practice space and equipment.
Currently, Menehune students are practicing in a facility that dates back to ther 1940s. School administrators frequently face the challenge of rearranging the space to accommodate other sports teams in need of practice facilities.
In the FY 2022 budget, the Legislature appropriated $22 million for the design and construction of a new gym, which is envisioned as a central hub for hosting athletic events and student activities.
During the visit, House members had the opportunity to review architectural renderings and engage in discussions regarding additional funding required to amke the project a reality.
Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital
During a visit to the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital (SMMH), considered the oldest operating hospital on Kaua‘i, House members met with Lance Segawa, the Chief Executive Officer of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, Kaua‘i Region.
“The SMMH master plan aims to expand long-term care, emergency and acute psychiatric services at SMMH, relocate the Kapa‘a Public Library, provide transitional and workforce housing, and add a police substation, as well as much-needed behavioral health housing,” Segawa said.
The Legislature has supported the hospital through appropriations made in the FY 2024 and FY 2025 budget, including $4 million for clinic and emergency department expansion, $1.3 million for infrastructure, planning and design to implement the master plan, and $14.9 million for plans, design and construction of a psychiatric unit.
During the past legislative session, the Legislature appropriated $3 million for design, construction and equipment modernization for Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH) operating room.
“This KVMH hospital is a cornerstone in our community,” Morikawa said. “It has been the birthplace for countless residents. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated health care professionals who tirelessly serve our West Kaua‘i community.”
The Hawai‘i legislative session is scheduled to start on Jan. 17, 2024, and run through May 2, 2024.
We need our legislators to work with large landowners in high risk fire zones to make sure they manage the Guinea grass to reduce future fire risks- especially in Poipu area!!!