Posted on June 23, 2020
HONOLULU – When the State Legislature recently passed its $5.1 billion Capital Improvement Project budget for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021, more than $533 million was set aside for projects on Maui, Lanai and Molokai.
House Bill 2725 HD1 SD1 provides funds for Capital Improvement Projects, including many “shovel ready” construction projects that can begin work quickly and provide much-needed jobs.
“Very happy we were able to sharpen our pencils and fund these important projects. Many of these projects, like the $9 million for infrastructure to build the next phase of Villages of Leali’i and the $7.6 million for Lahainaluna (High School) campus, will improve our quality of life and will help kick-start our economy as well,” said West and South Maui Rep. Angus L.K. McKelvey.
House Lower and Higher Education Chair Justin H. Woodson said a top CIP project is the $3 million set aside to plan and design a much-needed new middle school in Central Maui.
“In this time of financial crisis, Capital Improvement Projects are critical to help spur our local economy. This is a perfect time to make much-needed renovations, repairs and major maintenance to existing facilities,” said Woodson.
Maui County projects include renovations, repairs and major maintenance to existing facilities, landscape improvements, new construction, land acquisition and utility modifications.
Maui County Capital Improvement Project highlights for West Maui include:
$7.6 million for Lahainaluna High School for electrical system infrastructure, portables, track and field repairs and architectural barrier removal;
$450,000 for Princess Nahienaena Elementary School to replace playfield irrigation and repaint the portables;
$9 million for Leiali’i Parkway and Highway improvements;
$3.5 million for Maalaea Small Boat Harbor south mole finger pier repair;
$4.2 million for a Lahaina Boat Harbor ferry pier;
$5 million for Honoapiilani Highway coastal mitigation;
$2.5 million for Honoapiilani Highway rehabilitation;
$70 million for Honoapiilani Highway realignment from Lahainaluna Road to Launiupoko;
$11 million for Kaanapali Beach restoration and berm enhancement.
In other state news, Gov. David Ige last week signed a ninth supplementary emergency proclamation that extends the COVID-19 emergency period through July 31.
The emergency proclamation lifted the quarantine requirement for inter-island travelers effective 12:01 a.m. on June 16. However, it also leaves in place the quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers.
The governor has the authority to make exemptions for transit corridors/bubbles.
“We are working very hard toward reopening out-of-state travel, but we’re not there yet. We are being very cautious. There are new virus flare-ups in key Mainland markets – including California, where more than 2,000 new cases were reported yesterday. Oregon, Arizona and Texas are also reporting their highest number of new daily cases,” said Ige.
The proclamation also includes:
1) Criminal liability for hosts of guests who violate quarantine requirements or owners of cars that are rented to quarantine violators.
2) The extension of the eviction moratorium through July 31.
3) The elimination of prohibitions related to beaches, boating, hiking and shoreline fishing, as these activities are being addressed through the counties in coordination with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Source: lahainanews
