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Construction of the fence replacement at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, a project to protect endangered waterbirds in the sanctuary, is expected to be completed by August 2022. Photo DLNR
Public facilities and nature conservation work are among the projects that will receive funding after the state releases a total of $ 69,762,356 to fund capital improvement projects in Maui County.
Governor David Ige last week announced the release of $ 601,940,684 for PICs across the state. The funds were released in April, May, June, July and August.
“We are building on the efforts of previous years to improve and rejuvenate a wide range of public infrastructure necessary for the well-being and safety of residents of Hawaii.” Ige said in a press release. “As we continue to meet the challenges of COVID-19, we want to ensure that Hawaii has the resources to meet critical needs, as well as to support opportunities and conservation efforts.”
In the transportation sector, $ 1 million has been released to cover the full cost of upgrades to the Honoapiilani Expressway from Mile 10.5 to Mile 18.0, with construction scheduled to be completed by January 2023.
To mitigate the rockfall incidents on the Hana Highway from Huelo to Hana, funding of $ 12.4 million has been made available to finance the design and construction of rockfall protection and stabilization of rocks. slopes at various places between these points.
Infrastructure improvements, which will cost around $ 9.5 million, will be made to Kula Agricultural Park over the next few months, with construction scheduled for completion in March 2022. Governor David Ige recently released $ 3.5 million. dollars for the project. Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Approximately $ 6.4 million has been released to repave runway 17-35 and taxiway E at Molokai Airport.
Based on the funds awarded and the contract, the total project will cost around $ 15.6 million, with construction expected to be completed by summer 2023, the state transportation ministry spokesperson said. , Jai Cunningham.
“Runway 17-35 and Taxiway E as well as associated features, (such as) drainage, have been identified for rehabilitation”, Cunningham said. “Maintaining our taxiways and runways allows us to continue service at airports across the state. “
According to the governor’s press release, an additional $ 1 million has been made available to finance the land and the design of the rehabilitation of the Honolua Bridge along the Honoapiilani Highway. Total project costs are $ 1,297,915 and construction is expected to be completed by June 2023.
Ige also released just over $ 15.7 million to fund the design and construction of improvements to waiting rooms and doors at Kahului Airport. The total cost of the project is around $ 65 million and construction is expected to be completed by December 2023.
Other highlights included:
• The Maui District Baseyard Office project, which includes design and construction for the building expansion and renovation, receives $ 5.7 million. Completion is scheduled for July 2023.
• Napili Bay and Beach Foundation Inc. will receive $ 75,000 for the removal of the public access stairs. The project, which cost around $ 155,000, was completed in May to provide a new structure for public access to Napili Beach.
• An additional $ 3.5 million was made available to finance the improvement of the agricultural infrastructure of the Kula Agricultural Park. Total project costs are $ 9.5 million and construction is expected to be completed by March 2022.
• Baldwin High School received $ 7 million in funding for the design and construction of physical education and sports facilities, which are expected to be ready by December 2024.
• Kihei Elementary School is allocated $ 270,000 for design improvements, with a completion date of February 2022. The school must meet current ADA standards.
• The Kahului Public Library Project receives $ 200,000 to finance the planning of the study and identification of the integration needs of the new Kahului Public Library into the Kahului Mixed-Use Civic Center Complex of the Department of accounting and general government services. Its completion is scheduled for August 2023.
Ige also released funds for major facilities, including the hospital and prison. A total of $ 12 million will fully fund various capital improvement projects for Maui Health Systems, including renovations, upgrades and repairs. This work should be completed by November 2022.
The Maui Community Correctional Center is receiving approximately $ 1.2 million to help with a nearly $ 4.8 million project that would move the ground-level cooler for Modules A, B, C, and D to make room for a new module, which should be done by November 2023.
Funds have also been released to help with local conservation efforts, including building a barrier at Maliko Gulch to prevent the spread of invasive shell frogs.
The containment barrier project for the eradication of the Coqui frog will cost around $ 1.5 million in total but received $ 750,000. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2022.
Maui Invasive Species Committee spokesperson Serena Fukushima said last week that the project is in its planning phase and more details will be released later.
There are 13 populations of coqui frogs on Maui living in and around nurseries and hotels, residential areas and several large natural areas, according to the MISC website. There are currently no coqui populations detected on Molokai.
A single female frog can produce 1,400 eggs per year.
MISC developed a coqui acoustic monitoring program in 2020 and has a full-time team that spends a lot of time cleaning up habitat and controlling coqui frogs around Maui.
Other environmental efforts that will be funded include conservation work in Kanaio. The State Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is developing management plans and preparing environmental assessments for two projects in Kanaio.
The Kanaio Dry Forest Fence Release Project is receiving $ 300,000 to build a fence in the Kanaio Nature Reserve to protect native species of ungulate animals.
The Kanaio Resource Protection Plans project received $ 800,000 to construct a fence to protect culturally sensitive areas and critical habitat around Pu’u Pimoe.
DLNR’s Forestry and Wildlife Division intends to solicit public comments on these projects before the end of the year. Both are expected to be completed by June 2023.
“Wild ungulates are not native to the Hawaiian Islands and can damage native ecosystems, especially endangered plants which are likely to graze and graze,” DOFAW said in a statement to The Maui News Friday. “Creating fenced areas allows us to eliminate wild ungulates and keep them out and ensure that the habitat supports sustainable natural resources. “
Additionally, Ige released $ 300,000 to fund the $ 1.3 million replacement of the rusty fence at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary with a fence to prevent predators from attacking waterbirds. endangered and damaging vegetation. Fed by fresh water and a true prehistoric wetland, Kanaha Pond is now a highly modified but still functional wetland that serves as a flood control basin as well as a wildlife sanctuary, according to DLNR, which has worked with the county to clean up vehicles and trash from around the shrine last week.
“We are about to build the fence”, said Sasha Smith, the DOFAW technician who watched over the shrine for a decade. “The permanent camps on Amala Place made it impossible for the project to continue, but thanks to the division working diligently to find federal grants, along with state funding, we are close. “
August 2022 is the estimated completion date.
A release of $ 950,000 has been allocated to Hawaiian Home Lands to cover the costs of a $ 10.5 million project that includes lot development and engineering services for road access, building services. water and electricity in the Na’iwa subdivision. This project is expected to be completed by June 2022.
To provide potable water for state projects and county domestic water users, Ige has released $ 250,000 in funding for the development of a water well in the Upcountry region.
The total cost of the project is approximately $ 1.2 million and the estimated completion date is July 2022.
The well site is located near the Kealaloa Water Reservoir on the grounds of the Haleakala Ranch. The Maui County Water Supply Department said Friday that with increased growth, additional sources will be needed to meet water demand.
“This will also allow greater reliability for our customers”, said the department.
For a full list of capital improvement projects in Hawaii, visit Governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Capital-Improvement-Projects.pdf.
* Dakota Grossman can be contacted at [email protected].
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Construction of the fence replacement at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, a project to protect endangered waterbirds in the sanctuary, is expected to be completed by August 2022. Photo DLNR
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Infrastructure improvements, which will cost around $ 9.5 million, will be made to the Kula Agricultural Park over the next few months, with construction scheduled for completion in March 2022. Governor David Ige recently released $ 3.5 million. dollars for the project. Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
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