Voice of Stephanie Salazar

HONOLULU, Hawaii: On Friday, Governor Neil Abercrombie announced the release of more than $27.7 million for additional Capital Improvement Projects around the state, in the areas of transportation, communications, health and health services, and agriculture.

Over $2 million will be spent on Hawaii Island projects.

The governor said these projects will continue to further Hawaii’s economic momentum.

For transportation: $586,000 will go towards Kohala Mountain Road in the vicinity of milepost 12, for the second phase of a culvert installation project to increase drainage capacity. That will include headwalls to be constructed farther from the edge of the scenic travel way.

In addition, $7,200 (NOTE: seven thousand? How can this be such a low number? Maybe its just a part of the cost?) will go towards the South Punalu’u Stream Bridge in Ka’u. That’s for the replacement of the existing South Punalu’u Stream Bridge with a new, wider bridge that meets current seismic design criteria and vehicular load and design standards.

In health and human services: Nearly $7 million will go towards various Department of Health facilities, statewide… this includes the Hilo Counseling Center and Keawe Health Center… and part of a $4 million dollar release will go towards design, construction, and works of art for additional health and safety improvement projects at various Department of Health sites, including Hilo Environmental Health Services Waiakea Health Center, and the Kona Health Center.

Finally, a full $1,050,000 will go towards Kona Community Hospital for design, construction and works of art as part of the installation of two new generators. And $550,000 for Arc of Hilo for the construction of Client Support Services Community and Training Center.

The money also includes $11 million for the Information and Communications Services Division to go towards radio sites, statewide. The money will go towards the design and construction of health and safety improvement projects to support the state’s Anuenue and Hawaiian Microwave System, and to expand radio communications coverage on Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui and Hawaii.

Meanwhile, Governer Neil Abercrombie is continuing to push the Hawaii Broadband Initiative.

The administration recently released this video message on YouTube, encouraging involvement in the Hawaii Speed Test.