July 1, 2013
MAUI LAWMAKERS PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SIGNING OF BILL
Wailea, Maui - Joined by a delegation of Maui lawmakers and community groups, Governor Abercrombie this morning signed into law House Bill 1424, which authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to utilize an appropriation of $20 million for the purchase and acquisition of land parcels at Lipoa Point.
Maui House legislators participating in the public signing ceremony today included Speaker Joseph M. Souki, Representatives Angus McKelvey, Mele Carroll, Kaniela Ing, and Justin Woodson.
Other measures signed into law this morning include:
SB498 which appropriates $600,000 for the establishment of a Maalaea-based special emergency medical response vehicle unit to service the island of Maui on a twenty-four hour, seven-days a week basis. This will supplement the two ambulances already servicing Maui Island and will directly impact the health of Maui residents for the better.
SB1412 shall require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to accommodate native Hawaiian canoes for cultural and education purposes at small boat harbors across the State.
HB1328 will increase the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission's purchasing flexibility by making permanent the exemption for the procurement of food or fuel products.
June 21, 2013
Capital Improvement Projects: Central Maui Middle Schools receive $500,000
Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $134.7 million for capital improvement projects (CIPs), identified by members of the state Legislature, that will improve Hawaii’s public school facilities while enhancing economic conditions.
"It gives me great satisfaction to share with you that my Administration is releasing the following CIP funds for work in your District: $500,000 has been allocated to Central Maui Middle Schools, Maui." Governor Abercrombie said. "The improvements are an investment in our keiki and our economy. Capital improvement projects like these across the state are contributing to Hawaii’s strong economy and our improved state unemployment rate, which declined to 4.7 percent in May.”
Funds for Central Maui Middle Schools will be used to implement planning for a new school that will accommodate the population growth in Central Maui. According to the Department of Education, schools in the area are already over capacity.
As a condition for developing a housing project in Central Maui, the developer has set aside space for this new school (no funds to purchase land will be needed).
June 20, 2013
Capital Improvement Projects: Kahului Airport and Kahului Harbor
Throughout the 2013 Legislative Session Representative Justin Woodson has worked diligently for the people of Maui. As a member of the Finance Committee, Representative Woodson was able to help secure funding for the development of Maui's two most imperative forms of freight transportation, the Kahului Airport and the Kahului Harbor. He was also able to assist in receiving the Department of Transportation's full request of $50 Million dollars for the Kahului Airport and $6 Million dollars for the Kahului Harbor.
These funds will be used for the Kahului Airport for land acquisition and much needed renovations. Kahului Airport experiences over 5.3 million passenger arrivals and departures a year. With such a large influx of visitors and Kamaaiana traveling interisland, development is essential for the continued operation of the facility. The most prominent improvement the airport is expected to receive will be a secondary access road from Hana Highway that will bring drivers directly to the terminal. The land acquisition will also provide room to develop rental car facilities.
Kahului Harbor is one of ten commercial harbors within the State of Hawaii. It is Maui's only deep draft commercial harbor and is the third busiest in the state system. Most goods used by Maui residents and visitors arrive through the Kahului Harbor. The Department of Transportation projects that due to limited land capacity the Harbor will not be able to keep up with the demand of goods necessary. In light of this information and ongoing communication between Representative Justin Woodson and the Department of Transportation, the 2013 Legislature found it necessary to appropriate funds in the amount of $6 million dollars. These funds will be used for improvements to provide safer and more efficient operations at Kahului harbor.