Molokai Gets $14M in State Funding

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

More than $204 million in Captial Improvement Funds have been released by the state for District 7 which covers Molokai, Lanai, Hana, East and Upcountry Maui and Kaho’olawe, and Molokai will be getting more than $14 million of that for projects island-wide. They include improvements to the Molokai Irrigation System, airport facilities and projects at several schools.

The Molokai Irrigation System has been earmarked with $9.3 million in funds for plans, design and construction of improvements and equipment. Design for improvements of various facilities and other related improvements at the Molokai Airport has been allo-cated with $3.5 million.

Kaunakakai Elementary School will be getting $750,000 for plans, design, construction, and equipment for roof replacement and the installation of metal bleachers. Kualapu’u School will get construction of ADA transitions worth $300,000. Molokai High School is receiving $300,000 for design and construction of a baseball field.

Ahupua’a O Molokai, an organization made up of seven Hawaiian Homestead associa-tions on the island, will be getting $100,000, which qualifies as a grant, for construction of renovations and improvements for ADA compliance and energy efficiency.

The release of funds was announced last week by Sen. J Kalani English, who repre-sents District 7.

“Rep. Lynn DeCoite, Rep. Kyle Yamashita and I work very hard to secure funding for projects that are essential in maintaining the vibrancy of our district,” said Sen. English.