Today, Kauaʻi legislators issued the following statements thanking the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation, Governor Josh Green, and Mayor Derek Kawakami for advocating for and securing critical federal funding for various projects on Kauaʻi.
“I extend my gratitude for the collaboration demonstrated by the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation, Governor Green, Mayor Kawakami and his administration, Majority Leader Nakamura, Majority Floor Leader Morikawa, and Representative Evslin, in securing nearly $17 million in federal funding for projects on Kauaʻi,” said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8, Kauaʻi, Niʻihau). “Such a significant amount of money will help create jobs and housing, and improve infrastructure considerably. In addition to this federal funding, I will continue to look for opportunities within the State budget for opportunities for Kaua’i, as has been done for other counties.”
“On behalf of the Kauaʻi delegation, I commend the coordinated effort to secure funding for Kauaʻi. I am particularly pleased that nonprofits and projects dedicated to addressing community needs will be addressed, and that our island's natural resources remain a priority,” said House Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura (District 15, Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, portion of Wailua, Kawaihau).
“When our federal, state, and county partners work hand-in-hand with the Legislature, we can get things done. I am pleased to see the island of Kauaʻi secure funding that will bolster our public infrastructure, housing, and address environmental impacts across our island,” said House Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa (District 17, Ni‘ihau, portion of ‘Ōma‘o, Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Lāwa‘i, Kalāheo, Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Kaawanui Village, Pākalā Village, Waimea, Kekaha).
“The $3 million earmarked for the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency to design the Kilauea and Waimea affordable housing subdivisions exemplifies our shared dedication to tackling the top priority for Kaua’i– the urgent need for affordable housing for local families,” said Representative Luke A. Evslin, Chair of the House Committee on Housing (District, 16 Wailua, Hanamā‘ulu, Kapaia, Līhu‘e, Puhi, portion of ‘Ōma‘o).
$16,844,000 in federal funds will go towards various Kauaʻi projects, including the Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall ($3.3 million), an educational center at the Kawai‘ele State Waterbird Sanctuary ($900,000), engineering and design of infrastructure to enable Kilauea Affordable Housing Subdivision ($1.6 million), engineering and construction documents for the Waimea 400 affordable housing subdivision ($1.4 million), engineering and construction documents for a new wastewater treatment plant ($1.8 million), design and construction of a roadway, sidewalks and bike lanes for Kukui Street and Olohena Road ($3.2 million), refurbishment of a steam turbine generator into a low-energy synchronous condenser to facilitate grid integration of renewable energy, improve system safety and reduce overall energy costs ($1.3 million), modifications to the Waimea levee structure that would strengthen it to withstand increasing risks from extreme weather ($500,000), mosquito suppression through the “Birds, Not Mosquitoes” project, including production and release of mosquitoes ($2.5 million), and National Tropical Botanical Garden fern propagation lab ($344,000).
“Millions in new federal earmark funding will go directly to Kaua‘i to help build affordable housing and a wastewater treatment facility, improve roads and sidewalks, and support clean energy across the island, among other things. That means more safe and affordable homes and stronger, more resilient infrastructure for the people of Kaua‘i,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development.
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