Nearly $17M in federal funding headed to Garden Isle

Nearly $17 million in federal dollars is heading to Kaua‘i to fund a variety of projects ranging from the Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall, an educational center at the Kawai‘ele State Waterbird Sanctuary, affordable housing and a fern propagation lab at the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8, Kauaʻi, Niʻihau) extended his gratitude for the collaboration demonstrated by the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation, Gov. Josh Green, Mayor Derek Kawakami and his administration, House Majority Leader Nadine Nakamura, Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa, and Rep. Luke Evslin, in securing the funds.

“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,” Kouchi said.

“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 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 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 Evslin, Chair of the House Committee on Housing (District, 16 Wailua, Hanamā‘ulu, Kapaia, Līhu‘e, Puhi, portion of ‘Ōma‘o).

Federal funds, totaling $16,844,000 will go toward the following projects:

• Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall costing $3.3 million
• Educational center at the Kawai‘ele State Waterbird Sanctuary costing $900,000
• Engineering and design of infrastructure to enable Kilauea Affordable Housing Subdivision costing $1.6 million
• Engineering and construction documents for the Waimea 400 affordable housing subdivision costing $1.4 million
• Engineering and construction documents for a new wastewater treatment plant costing $1.8 million
• Design and construction of a roadway, sidewalks and bike lanes for Kukui Street and Olohena Road costing $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 costing $1.3 million
• Modifications to the Waimea levee structure that would strengthen it to withstand increasing risks from extreme weather costing $500,000
• mosquito suppression through the “Birds, Not Mosquitoes” project, including production and release of mosquitoes costing $2.5 million
• National Tropical Botanical Garden fern propagation lab costing $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 Sen. Brian Schatz, chair of the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development.