Governor Abercrombie Releases Funds for Education, Library Projects

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov January 11, 2012

HONOLULU – Continuing on the path of investing in education, Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $14.2 million for additional Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) at schools and libraries.

“We remain committed to education and owe it to our children to create and maintain a productive learning environment,” said Governor Abercrombie. “Investing in the next generation is the wisest decision that we can make as a state.”

The newly released funds include:

• $5,000,000 – Multiple schools, statewide – Upgrades to achieve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance at various schools, including Kohala, Wai'anae, Castle, Baldwin and Roosevelt High Schools; Kohala and Makaha Elementary Schools; and Aliamanu Middle School
• $4,000,000 – University of Hawai'i Hilo Living Learning Community, Hawai'i Island -- Student housing renovation and expansion
• $3,000,000 – Multiple schools, statewide – Installation of air conditioning at the Kealakehe Elementary School library on Hawai'i Island, and window/door replacement and ventilation improvements at Barbers Point Elementary School on O'ahu (any remaining funds will be used to address noise/heat abatement projects)
• $1,500,000 – Multiple schools, statewide – Health and safety improvements at various schools, including slope stabilization projects at Kane'ohe Elementary School on O'ahu, and Ele'ele Elementary School on Kaua'i (any remaining funds will be used to address noise/heat abatement projects)
• $700,000 – McKinley High School, O'ahu – Design for renovation of Building W (built in 1939), including work to bring the building into compliance with current building and fire codes, ADA accessibility, and historic preservation requirements
• $15,000 – Manoa Public Library on O'ahu – Purchase of four book check units, which de-sensitize and re-sensitize security strips on borrowed materials (Previous allocations for the Manoa library included $10.7 million for the new library with additional interior space for a separate children’s room, expanded library collection, staff work area, meeting room and parking spaces)

The need for these projects was identified by members of the state Legislature.

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