Governor Josh Green recently released $15,000,000 in capital improvement project funds (CIP) to finance the cost of land acquisition for Hilo Harbor, Hawaiʻi. “I'd like to thank Governor Green for releasing funding to finance additional land acquisition for Hilo Harbor,” said Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (District 1 – Hilo, Paukaʻa, Papaikou, Pepeʻekeo). “Hilo Harbor plays a crucial role in the Big Island economy. It's critical that the State continues to support Hilo Harbor."

Governor Josh Green recently released $1,820,000 in capital improvement project funds (CIP) for Hilo Medical Center, Hawaiʻi: $1,500,000 to finance construction and equipment for the replacement of two chillers, and $320,000 for the replacement of the medical air system. Photo Credit: Hilo Medical Center “I'd like to thank Governor Green for releasing funding to finance the construction for the replacement of the chillers and medical air system at Hilo Medical Center,” said Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (District 1 – Hilo, Paukaʻa, Papaikou, Pepeʻekeo). “Hilo Medical Center provides critical healthcare services for East Hawaiʻi. As our communities age, it is imperative that we have reliable, quality hospitals such as the Hilo Medical Center.”

Assistant Majority Floor Leader Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe), chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, announced today that nearly $100 million in capital improvement projects (CIP) and grant-in-aid appropriations were included in the final version of the state budget (HB300 CD1) that was voted on in conference committee earlier this week. CIP funding for Senate District 7 includes: • $37,771,000 for construction improvements to terminals, systems, and facilities at Kahului Airport (FY 24). • $20,000,000 for construction and expansion of Kula Agricultural Park in Upcountry Maui (FY 24). • $14,770,000 for plans, design, construction and equipment related to improvements, repairs, renovations, expansion, modernization, and upgrades to Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, and Lānaʻi Community Hospital (FY24 and FY25). • $2,501,000 for construction related to soil remediation and other ground and site improvements at Kahului Airport. • $2,000,000 for improvements to the Molokaʻi Irrigation System. • $650,000 for upgrades and site improvements at the Hoʻolehua Veteran’s Cemetary (FY24 and FY25). • $540,000 for remediation of hazardous materials at the Kalaupapa Settlement (FY24 and FY25). • $400,000 for construction related to washouts at gulch crossings on the Kula Forest Trail. In addition to the over $78 million in CIP funding that was included in the state budget, $17,800,000 was appropriated for improvement projects at various schools in the district. These projects include: • $7,000,000 for the design of a multipurpose building with a kitchen and other infrastructure improvements at Kula Elementary School. • $6,510,000 for projects at Molokaʻi Complex Area Schools related to design, improvements, and maintenance projects at Kaunakai Elementary School, Kilohana Elementary School, Kualapuʻu Elementary Public Conversion Charter School, Maunaloa School, Molokaiʻ High School, and Molokaʻi Middle School. • $5,000,000 for projects at Lānaʻi High and Elementary School related to various upgrades and improvements, such as renovating the gym and floor, repairing the roof, providing housing for teachers, upgrading basketball and tennis courts and playfields, painting the exterior, installing a building compressor, improving the grounds and site, and other related enhancements. • $2,500,000 for repairs to building roofs and gymnasium floors at Lānaʻi High and Elementary School. • $2,000,000 for plans and designs of athletics and physical education facilities at Molokaʻi Middle School. • $1,300,000 for plans, designs and construction of a multipurpose athletic field at Hāna High & Elementary School. A combined $4,045,000 in grant-in-aid funding was awarded to the following organizations located in Senate District 7: • Aloha House, Inc - $250,000 • Arc of Maui County - $345,000 • Hāna Health - $500,000 • J. Walter Cameron Center - $700,000 • Kimokeo Foundation - $50,000 • Lānaʻi Community Health Center - $400,000 • Boys and Girls Club of Maui - $300,000 • Hale Mākua Health Services - $140,000 • Hāliʻimaile Pineapple Company, Ltd - $90,000 • Lānaʻi Academy of Performing Arts, Inc - $20,000 • Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. - $400,000 • Maui Family Young Men’s Christian Association - $200,000 • Maui Humane Society - $150,000 • Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association - $500,000 As a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Senator DeCoite also played a crucial role in securing additional funding for: • $10,000,000 for food innovative centers statewide ($1,500,000 for Molokaʻi and $1,500,000 for Maui). • $6,165,000 for statewide axis deer mitigation. • $1,600,000 for EMS Molokaʻi ambulance and personnel. • $483,796 for Bovine TB mitigation efforts on Molokaʻi (2 positions and $255,792 in FY24 and $228,004 in FY25) “I am deeply grateful to Representative Kyle Yamashita, Senator Donovan Dela, and Senator Gil Keith-Agaran for their invaluable support in helping to secure the funding needed to address many of the concerns that Maui Nui residents face every day,” noted Senator DeCoite. “Without a doubt, these funds will significantly contribute to our endeavors to enhance the standard of living for our constituents and their families.” ###

Today, State Senator Angus McKelvey (District 6 - West Maui, Mā’alaea, Waikapū, South Maui) announced nearly $80 million in capital improvement project (CIP) funds for Senate District 6 in the final version of this year’s budget (HB300 CD1). “Although compromises were made to reconcile the House and Senate drafts, I want to thank Ways and Means Chair, Senator Dela Cruz, and our CIP Chair, Senator Keith-Agaran, for their work during negotiations,” McKelvey said, adding his thanks to the other members of the Maui delegation for their support. Some of the highlights for District 6 include monies for teacher housing, flood mitigation measures for South Maui, vital funds for West Maui's small boat harbors and ramps, and essential upgrades for district schools. “I am happy to announce that the Senate secured $45 million for teacher housing which will be conveniently located near existing schools in South Maui,” McKelvey said, noting the facility will also include necessary space to expand the state’s universal pre-kindergarten program. The South Maui Senator explained, because the funds will be used to convert existing hotel rooms into apartments, they should be able to come online faster compared to building such housing from the ground up. “In my meetings with school principals prior to this year’s legislative session, the recurring concern from each administrator was that teacher housing was essential to fully staffing our schools, and teachers have been priced out of housing repeatedly leaving our schools understaffed and our children without teachers,” McKelvey reported. “This project will go a long way in fixing this critical problem.” Funding for major improvements to West Maui's small boat harbor and ramp is included in the final version of HB300. McKelvey detailed that $4 million will be allotted for critical pier repairs, lighting, and other work at Lahaina Harbor, while Mala Ramp will receive $3.2 million for “much-needed upgrades and improvements.” “As everyone knows, these facilities are grossly in need of immediate repair to address the demands of our boat users and members of the community who rely on these facilities for fishing and recreational purposes,” McKelvey acknowledged. The final budget also contains over a million dollars to begin the process of implementing flood control measures and other efforts to rehabilitate the Waipuʻilani Gulch and Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch systems. “Recent events have only underscored the critical need for us to collectively address flood mitigation in South Maui,” McKelvey stated. He cautioned, however, “these monies are contingent on the county matching the state funding. I am hopeful Councilmember Cook and the County Council will match these vital funds in the county budget for this essential project.” The first-term Senator cited that certain funds have been outlined in the budget as capitol improvement projects while other monies will be included in lump-sum funding and operational budgets for state departments. “Capital improvement projects are just the beginning of what the state budget will bring to Maui. An important part of the budget is monies delivered to state agencies to fund critical projects for the people of Maui County,” McKelvey emphasized. ###

Senator Joy A. San Buenaventura (District 2 – Puna) announced today that Puna is being awarded $49,265,000 in capital improvement projects (CIP) and grant-in-aid appropriations which were included in the final version of the state budget (HB300 CD1) that was voted on in conference committee last week. Hilo Medical Center will also receive $50,000,000 for construction and equipment for the ICU and Medical Surgical Unit expansion. Puna residents rely on the medical center as the only emergency room in East Hawai‘i and account for 45% of its clinic visits. CIP funding for Puna includes: • $30,000,000 to construction for widening the two-lane Highway 130 to four lanes or alternate alignments in this corridor. This will allow the project to qualify for federal aid financing and/or reimbursement. • $10,000,000 for the design and construction for a new Kea‘au-Mountain View Public Library. • $5,400,000 to construction for excavation and dredging of volcanic debris and restore the Pohoiki Boat Ramp. This will allow the project to qualify for federal aid and/or reimbursement. • $1,200,000 for Pahoa High School and Intermediate for plans, design and construction resurfacing of the football field, equipment and extras. • $560,000 for plans and designs for a new state park in Hawaiian Paradise Park in Puna. Grant-in-aid appropriations include: • $450,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island • $400,000 to the Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center (Kea‘au Clinic) • $400,000 to the HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. • $200,000 to Orchidland Neighbors • $350,000 to Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island • $130,000 to Kumukahi Health + Wellness • $100,000 Pohaku Pelemaka • $75,000 to Men of PA‘A “I am pleased to announce over $49 million in approriations for Puna and over $100 million for East Hawai‘i this year,” said Senator San Buenaventura. “These investments in our infrastructure, schools, and vital community organizations will go a long way in transforming our community for the better.” ###

Governor Josh Green released $12,000,000.00 in capital improvement project funds (CIP) to finance the construction of new school facilities and to support the renovation, improvement and expansion of existing school facilities to expand pre-kindergarten access in the Hilo community. The following schools are part of this initiative: Kua o Ka Lā Public Charter School: $6,000,000 (60 seats) Haʻahea Elementary School: $2,000,000 (20 seats) Kaʻumana Elementary School: $2,000,000 (20 seats) Waiakea Elementary School: $2,000,000 (20 seats) “Releasing funding for these projects is an important first step to address barriers to childcare,” said Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (District 1 – Hilo, Paukaʻa, Papaikou, Pepeʻekeo). “A strong pre-kindergarten system fosters a better home for our keiki, our families, and our Hawaiʻi. I would like to thank Governor Josh Green for releasing the funding, and I would like to thank the School Facilities Authority for their work on this critical issue.” # # #

Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (District 1 - Hilo, Pauka‘a, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo) announced today that over $52,000,000 in funding was secured in the final version of the state budget (HB300 CD1) for various improvement projects in her district. Highlights from Senator Inouye’s secured funds include: • $50 million for the expansion of the ICU and medical surgical unit at Hilo Medical Center • $600,000 to Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA • $450,000 to Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island • $400,000 in FY24 for UH Hilo athletics • $330,000 to YWCA of Hawaiʻi Island • $200,000 to Hawaiʻi Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce • $200,000 to Hospice of Hilo • $150,000 to Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council • $100,000 to Friends of the Palace Theater • $100,000 to East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center “I am delighted to share that Senate District 1 will receive funding exceeding $52 million,” said Senator Inouye. “These funds will be utilized to enhance our health centers, athletic programs, and vital community organizations which will, in turn, improve the quality of life for those who live here." ###

Given the abundance of illegal fireworks and explosives that infiltrate Hawaiʻi each year, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Donovan Dela Cruz (D – Senate District 17, Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village) introduced legislation to address this pervasive problem. Senate Bill 821 passed the Legislature, with only one legislator voting no for the final floor vote across both chambers. Senate Bill 821 establishes the Illegal Fireworks Task Force within the Department of Law Enforcement to stop the importation of illegal fireworks and explosives into the state, promote compliance with the fireworks control laws, and ensure the safety and security of facilities and institutions in the state against the discharge of illegal fireworks and explosives. “This task force will help people with pets, people with PTSD, and especially our kūpuna. Not to mention, it will reduce bodily harm inflicted on people setting off pyrotechnics,” said Senator Dela Cruz. “We look forward to working with the Department of Law Enforcement to help address this pervasive problem.” “The Department of Law Enforcement is working with its state, local and federal partners to develop an operational strategy to interdict the flow of illegal fireworks and explosives,” said Jordan Lowe, director of the Department of Law Enforcement. “The task force will develop criminal cases against those individuals and organizations responsible for the importation and distribution of illegal fireworks and explosives.” The bill now heads to Governor Green for his consideration and approval. If approved, $1.25 million would be allocated for the Illegal Fireworks Task Force. ###

To celebrate the culmination of a yearlong project-based learning opportunity, Senate Vice President Michelle N. Kidani and Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz attended the first annual Kalo Challenge hosted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Education’s Alternative Learning Programs, Supports, and Services (ALPSS). ALPSS provides supportive environments that help students rise above adversity to thrive. Throughout the year, at-promise students in programs across the state would grow and cultivate their own kalo, learn about the cultural significance of the plant, and come up with innovative dishes from their crops. “This challenge combined agriculture, math, and value-added product development to help students grow in a non-traditional learning environment,” said Senator Dela Cruz. “The Senate is proud to support these kinds of programs that disrupt the pipeline to prison and pipeline to prostitution and address the needs of our most vulnerable students.” “We very much appreciate the support of Superintendent Hayashi in providing the resources needed to execute such innovative programs,” said Senator Kidani. “This upward mobility helps elevate the Department to address the current and future needs of our state.” The event featured the work of three finalist programs from Pāhoa High School, Kohala High School, and Honolulu District. The students shared their cultivation and culinary creations with judges, the Senators, and other guests. In the end, Kohala High School students Malachi Duque and Elijah Tobiolo were declared the first-place winners of the Kalo Challenge. “Congratulations to Malachi and Elijah for their win,” said Senator Dela Cruz. “Seeing all the students showcasing their hard work and dedication, turning around their lives for the better, is the beauty of the DOE’s Alternative Learning Programs.” ###

Today, the Hawaiʻi State Senate voted to confirm Hawaiʻi Solicitor General Kimberly Tsumoto Guidry, Governor Josh Green’s appointee, to a seat on the Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA). Kimberly Tsumoto Guidry received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1999 and her Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 2002. Guidry would later serve as a Deputy Attorney General for two decades, lead the Department’s Appellate Division, and eventually take the mantle as Solicitor General in 2019. Her legal experience expands beyond her position at the Department of the Attorney General as a Bar Examiner for the Hawaiʻi Board of Bar Examiners and as a member of the Judiciary’s Hawaiʻi Rules of Appellate Procedure standing committee. “Solicitor General Guidry has proven she is well-versed in appellate procedure and knowledgeable about many of the issues addressed by appellate courts," said Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 - Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, ʻIwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “With the testimony in support of her and her work, including from the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, I am confident that Judge Guidry will be a strong addition to the ICA.” Guidry’s confirmation fulfills the goal of the Legislature in its passage in 2022 of Act 90, Senate Bill 2390, introduced by Senator Rhoads, to expand the Intermediate Court of Appeals to a total of seven judges in order to resolve a greater number of appeals more expeditiously and assist the court's efforts to reduce its backlog. The confirmation also restores full gender parity in State courts with 40 sitting female judges and justices and 40 sitting male judges and justices. ###

Following multiple traffic fatalities near schools this year, Senate Transportation Committee Chair Chris Lee (D – Senate District 25, Kailua, Waimānalo, Hawai‘i Kai), House Transportation Committee Chair Chris Todd (D – House District 3, Puna, Hilo), and other legislators were joined by families of victims, school leaders, and community advocacy groups to announce the passage of key bills that will help end traffic fatalities on our streets. Senate Bill 1086 and House Bill 600 empower the State, county, schools, and community members to directly collaborate on efforts to make streets safer and provide significant funding to fast-track improvements to help end traffic fatalities. Both bills passed unanimously in the House and the Senate. "Hawaiʻi has seen record fatalities on our streets, and these measures will make a serious and significant investment in rebuilding our roads, crosswalks, sidewalks, and bike lanes,” said Senator Chris Lee. “This will better separate cars from people, give kids and kūpuna safer ways to get around, and ultimately save lives." "These bills represent a critical step forward towards safer communities for all of our residents and visitors,” said Representative Chris Todd. “We all deserve safer roads and walkways, and I am very excited that the Legislature has taken a stand for pedestrian and commuter safety." Both bills now head to the Governor for his consideration and approval. ###

Senator Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe), chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism, issued a statement today regarding the deferral of HB1375 in conference committee: “Unfortunately, we could not reach a consensus on HB1375. During negotiations, the Senate proposed that the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) continue to exist with a reduced governing board consisting of only nine members and a primary focus on marketing and promoting tourism. As part of our proposal, we also recommended establishing the Office of Destination Management under the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). The primary objective of this new agency would be to engage and involve local communities in destination management planning, which would provide valuable insight and feedback to help guide the state's overall tourism strategy. Despite the impasse with the House on creating a proposed Office of Destination Management, I am confident that HTA can continue to operate with roughly $30 million of unspent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. I am eager to have further discussions on this crucial issue with HTA and our legislative colleagues in the next legislative session.” ###