State of Hawaii News Release Governor Linda Lingle announced last month that the State has advanced nearly $1.5 billion in capital improvement projects (CIP) statewide since her Administration launched a plan last December to accelerate public infrastructure construction as part of a comprehensive effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Construction signs, like this by Kalae Road, stand around Hawaii as Gov. Lingle pledged $1.5 million to infrastructure projects.Over the past year, the State has successfully opened bids for, awarded contracts for or started construction on 681 capital improvement projects, totaling $1,489,597,629.  

The original 18-month plan launched one year ago included approximately 1,500 capital improvement projects totaling $1.8 billion which were previously budgeted and approved by the Legislature. While the State has focused on these 1,500 projects, work is also moving forward on another 800 capital improvement projects.  In all, the State’s expanded plans now include 2,308 construction projects, totaling over $4.5 billion.

“While the State is taking steps to address the immediate need to revitalize our economy and address the budget shortfall, it is critical that we continue to focus on the repair and maintenance of our public buildings and facilities as well as invest in modernization of our public infrastructure,” Lingle said.  

The State estimates the $1.5 billion worth of projects has generated approximately 19,216 direct and indirect jobs statewide in the construction industry and other related sectors. Approximately, 4,500 direct construction jobs have been created by the program.

“The State will continue its focus on starting approved projects as quickly as possible in order to create more jobs for members of our construction industry and related sectors,” said Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) director and strike force chair, Russ Saito.

Investing in capital improvement projects and the modernization of Hawai‘i’s infrastructure is a major part of the Governor’s five-point action plan to stimulate the economy. Other components of the five-point plan include increasing tourism marketing and outreach, lowering business fees and providing tax relief, attracting private investment (especially in renewable energy technology) and maximizing federal dollars and partnerships.

Progress of all the capital improvement projects can be tracked on the Governor’s website at www.hawaii.gov/cip.

Projects Advancing by Island        # of Projects        Cost
O‘ahu                                                 402                        $813,408,198
Hawai‘i                                               126                        $365,801,799
Maui                                                    77                         $179,435,830
Kaua‘i                                                  44                         $86,756,498
Moloka‘i                                               20                         $18,791,677
Lāna‘i                                                   7                           $7,598,213
Statewide projects                                 5                           $17,805,414
Total                                                   681                   $1,489,597,629