Many of our most pressing infrastructure needs are in West Hawai‘i, where rapid growth and development in recent decades has outpaced state, county and federal investment in public facilities. Today that is changing thanks to an unprecedented new push by Mayor Billy Kenoi’s administration to ease traffic congestion and deliver services more efficiently.
Maximizing Opportunity
Mayor Kenoi and staff receive updates on the progress of the West Hawaii emergency shelter project.
A key opportunity to boost the economy rests with the construction industry. This is an excellent time in invest in local infrastructure and get the best possible return for taxpayer dollars. Mayor Kenoi is working to maximize construction spending to take advantage of today’s favorable bid prices.
Prioritizing Necessities
Dignitaries participate in the O'o Ceremony during the Groundbreaking of Ane Keohokalole, aka Mid-Level Road, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
One critically necessary project is the Ane Keohokalole Highway, or Mid-Level Road, which will open lands for the development of affordable housing and Hawaiian Home Lands near the new West Hawai‘i Civic Center in Kona.
Mayor Kenoi briefs Kamuela residents about traffic plans during a series of public meetings.
Mayor Kenoi has also pushed to have the Mamalahoa Bypass opened for public use to further ease the flow of Kona traffic. A new mauka-makai connector road to ease the flow of traffic between the communities of Laiopua and Kealakehe; and construction began on the Parker Ranch connector road to provide another route between Lindsey Road and Mamalahoa Highway to relieve congestion in Waimea town.
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Expanding Our Funding Sources
Racing against the tight federal deadlines established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Mayor Kenoi was able to qualify the Mid-Level Road for federal funding, and successfully secured $35 million in federal stimulus funding for the project. The road is under construction today, and when completed will change the face of Kona by providing a parallel traffic corridor to ease congestion along the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway.
Realizing Results
That is just the beginning. The County has contracted for more than $100 million for new or ongoing construction, using funds that are in the works but not yet spent, and the Kenoi administration is pushing construction projects out as rapidly as possible. Other projects in planning or ongoing include the West Hawai’i Civic Center for $56 million; the Makalei Fire Station in North Kona for $9 million; and the $28 million contract for workforce housing in Waikoloa.
The Kenoi Administration has aggressively sought additional federal stimulus funding. Hawai‘i County will receive more than $107 million in federal stimulus funds for projects that are putting our residents to work. That money is being used to build new roads, repair bridges, renovate buildings, expand drinking water systems, extend sewer lines, refurbish public buildings, and more.
Critical service improvements include the newly opened Fire Station. A Police Station is under construction at the site.
In Puna, the community celebrated the opening of the new $5.3 million fire station in Pahoa, and construction is well underway on a new police station nearby.
Pahoa Fire Station serving the Puna District
Our residents see the results of new funding flowing into our communities. It is helping to get our workers in the construction trades back on the job, and financing the infrastructure that will improve the quality of life for our families and meet the needs of our communities in the years ahead.