HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle, mayors, legislators, construction industry executives and labor leaders today unveiled a sweeping plan to implement $1,865,522,037 in public infrastructure improvement projects statewide as part of a comprehensive effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs.  Through a collaborative effort that includes the counties, construction industry organizations, and labor unions, this plan focuses on 1,521 projects statewide which have been already budgeted and approved by the Legislature and are ready to start construction within the next 18 months.

Investing in capital improvement projects (CIP) and the modernization of Hawai‘i’s infrastructure is a major part of the Governor’s five-point action plan to stimulate the economy. Other components of the five-point plan include increasing tourism marketing and outreach; lowering business fees and providing tax relief; attracting private investment, especially in renewable energy technology; and maximizing federal dollars and partnerships.

To keep the public informed of the progress of the various projects, all 1,521 projects are posted on the Governor’s website (www.hawaii.gov/cip).  The projects can be viewed four different ways: by island, department, estimated start date and projected construction costs.  The public will be able to track the status of individual projects, including when a project is going out to bid, when the contract will be awarded, what permits are still required, and if additional action is needed by a specific government agency – state, county or federal – to move the project forward.

“By putting the projects online and updating the public on their status in a timely manner, we are keeping the pressure on ourselves to ensure the projects keep moving,” said Governor Linda Lingle.  “The public will be able to pinpoint what stage the project is in, and if there are bottlenecks such as permit delays, they will know exactly who to contact and who to hold accountable.”

Over the past several weeks, a “strike force” team comprised of key members of the Governor’s cabinet has worked to identify state projects that can be accelerated and moved into the construction phase in the next 18 months.  The team focused on all state departments that have projects planned, including Accounting and General Services; Agriculture; Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Defense; Education; Hawaiian Home Lands; Human Services; Land and Natural Resources; Public Safety; Transportation and the University of Hawai‘i.

The CIP projects identified by the Administration span all six major islands, including $1,002,675,910 (803 projects) for O‘ahu; $406,713,790 (327 projects) for Hawai‘i; $259,836,677 (217 projects) for Maui; $143,850,497 (111 projects) for Kaua‘i; $25,963,460 (35 projects) for Moloka‘i; and $9,283,714 (18 projects) for Lāna‘i.  In addition, there are 10 statewide projects that total $17,197,989.

The CIP projects build on the progress of the state’s $2.3 billion Airports Modernization Plan and the $618 million Harbors Modernization Plan, and also include highway improvements; repairs, maintenance and new construction at public school, university, and community college campuses statewide; public library upgrades and repairs; small boat harbor upgrades and expansion; affordable housing and Hawaiian Homes construction; public housing facility repairs and renovations; hospital and health care facility improvements; correctional facility renovations; agricultural irrigation improvements; hurricane shelter retrofits; state park improvements; state building repairs and improvements and energy efficiency projects.

The Administration’s focus on increasing public construction activity comes as private building permits have seen an 8.8 percent decrease to $240 million in the first nine months of 2008, and the number of permits for residential housing units statewide have decreased by 30.6 percent to 3,937 units.  During the same period government (federal, state and county) contracts awarded also decreased by $72.2 million or 9.6 percent.

The decreases in private construction permits and government contracts were partially offset by ongoing military housing initiatives. State capital improvement project expenditures were up $362 million or 44 percent for the first nine months of 2008.

The following are examples of specific projects by island (a complete list can be found at www.hawaii.gov/cip):

O‘ahu – $1,002,675,910 (803 projects)

• East Kapolei II – East-West Road (estimated cost: $19,800,000; estimated start date: January 2009)

• East Kapolei Phase I, Increment 1, House Construction, 111 Homes, Developer Financed for DHHL (estimated cost: $28,860,000; estimated construction start: January 2009)

• University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Campus Center Renovation and Expansion (estimated cost: $25,600,000; estimated construction start: March 2009)

• Interstate Route H-1, Addition and Modification of Freeway Access, Palailai Interchange to Makakilo Interchange (Kapolei Interchange Complex), Phase 1 (estimated cost: $16,604,000; estimated construction start: April 2009)

• East Kapolei Phase I, Increment 1B, House Construction, 75 Homes, Developer Financed for DHHL (estimated cost: $19,500,000; estimated construction start: July 2009)

• Honolulu International Airport, Mauka Concourse Improvements (estimated cost: $77,530,000; estimated construction start: August 2009)

• Windward Community College, Library Learning Resource Center (estimated cost: $35,700,000; estimated construction cost: August 2009)

• University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Repair and Maintenance and Renovation Projects to Various Student Housing Facilities (estimated cost: $36,000,000; estimated construction start: dates vary by facility – the majority of the projects are scheduled to start between December 2008 – September 2009)

• Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana Blvd. Resurfacing and Highway Lighting Replacement, Fort St. to Kalakaua Ave. (estimated cost: $34,300,000; estimated construction start: April 2010)

Hawai‘i – $406,713,790 (327 projects)

• Kona Airport Parking Lot Expansion Phase III (estimated cost: $7,105,000; estimated construction start: January 2009)

• Construction of Inter-Island Cargo Terminal Facility at Hilo Harbor – Dredging (estimated cost: $20,000,000; estimated construction start: March 2009)

• Keaukaha Military Reservation Joint Military Center, Phase I (estimated cost: $50,768,000; estimated construction start: May 2009)

• University of Hawai‘i – Hilo, Student Services Building Addition and Renovation (estimated cost: $21,700,000; estimated construction start: June 2009)

• Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway Widening, Phase II (estimated cost: $77,199,999; estimated construction start: September 2009)

• Laiopua Village 5, House Construction, 50 to 100 Homes, Developer Financed for DHHL (estimated cost: $17,000,000; estimated construction start: November 2009)

Maui – $259,836,677 (217 projects)

• Ma‘alaea Small Boat Harbor Ferry System Improvements (estimated cost: $16,849,568; estimated construction start: January 2009)

• Honoapi‘ilani Highway Realignment, Phase 1A, Future Keawe Street Extension to Lahainaluna Road (Lahaina Bypass, Phase 1A) (estimated cost: $48,000,000; estimated construction start: January 2009)

• Hana Ramp and Wharf Improvements to Revetment/Boat Ramp and ADA Barrier Removal (estimated cost: $7,070,456; estimated construction start: May 2009)

• Maui Community College Science Building (estimate cost: $21,500,000; estimated construction start: July 2009)

• Honoapi‘ilani Highway Widening, Lahainaluna Road to Aholo Road (estimated cost: $25,000,000; estimated construction start: August 2009)

• Keokea-Waiohuli Phase I – 25-75 Housing Units – Developer Financed for DHHL (estimated cost: $7,500,000; estimated construction start: August 2009)

• Kahului Airport Access Road (estimated cost: $38,000,000; estimated construction start: November 2009)

Kaua‘i – $143,850,497 (111 projects)

• Kilauea River/Wailapa Stream, Kaua‘i, Sediment and Debris Removal (estimated cost: $3,300,000; estimated construction start: March 2009)

• Kaumuali‘i Highway, Kuhio Highway and Kuamo‘o Road Retaining Walls (estimated cost: $3,243,800; estimated construction start: April 2009)

• Pi‘ilani Mai Ke Kai Phase I, House Construction (estimated cost: $7,800,000; estimated construction start: June 2009)

• Līhu‘e Airport Parking Lot Improvements (estimated cost: $3,185,000; estimated construction start: June 2009)

• Kaumuali‘i Highway Widening, Vicinity of Anonui Street to Vicinity of Līhu‘e Mill Bridge (estimated cost: $70,239,000; estimated construction start: February 2010)

Moloka‘i – $25,963,460 (35 projects)

• Kalaupapa Settlement Phase 2 Harbor Facility Repairs and Improvements (estimated cost: $925,303; estimated construction start: December 2008)

• Kalaupapa Settlement Nursing Facility (Building 141), Various Improvements (estimated cost: $405,000; estimated construction start: April 2009)

• Moloka‘i Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Station Improvements (estimated cost: $6,305,000; estimated construction start: June 2009)

• Kaunakakai Harbor Ferry, Moloka‘i, Ferry System Improvements (estimated cost: $6,405,000; estimated construction start: December 2010)

Lāna‘i – $9,283,714 (18 projects)

• Lāna‘i Airport General Aviation Apron (estimated cost: $6,258,833; estimated construction start: December 2008)

• Pu‘u Kilea Radio Facility, Building Addition and Other Improvements, Information and Communication Services Division (estimated cost: $1,166,481; estimated construction start: February 2009)

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