2009 Testimony to State Legislature

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The Honorable Donna Mercado Kim, Chair The Honorable Marcus R. Oshiro, Chair Page 4 January 13,2009 Science and Technology Building Sewer Line, $5 million Work on the Science and Technology Building is scheduled to begin this month, and this sewer line is needed to service the new facility. The line would begin on Lanikaula Street below the bridge on Kumukoa Street and extend from campus down Lanikaula and along Manono Street to a pump station neat-the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. This line is essential to complete the project. Kawili Street Widening,$S million Improvements to Kawili Street will begin this month including addition of signal lights, but further widening of Kawili Street from Kinoole Street to Puainako Street and additional bike lanes are necessary to accommodate the growing campus and the planned China-U.S. Center. DISASTER SHELTER Community Center and Disaster Shelter,Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, $6 million This project would provide space for education,health, social and cultural programs for youth and seniors in a fast growing rural community. It would also provide a hurricane and natural disaster shelter for an isolated area. About 5,000 people live in the surrounding area, and are some 30 miles from the nearest state-approved shelter. DRINKING WATER North Kona Water System Improvements, $12 million The county supports the Department of Water Supply's plans to improve the quality and reliability of the North Kona water system by constructing two new wells with tanks and 7,000 feet of transmission water lines. The department has already allocated$30 million to serve the current and future needs of this region to shift from low-level water sources to higher elevation sources, and to accommodate new development. Ahualoa Production Well,$9 million The county supports these Department of Water Supply improvements to the Hamakua Water System by outfitting the existing Ahualoa well with a pump and motor,water tank and 19,000 feet of transmission line to supply drinking water to the Honokaa area. The project is essential to relieving existing water sources that are near their production capacities. Waimea Water Treatment Plant Reservoir,$500,000 The county supports the Department of Water Supply request for design money for a 5 million gallon reservoir at the Waimea treatment plant in South Kohala. This would replace a 4 million gallon structure damaged in the Oct. 15, 2006 earthquake that has been temporarily patched. The only permanent solution is a new reservoir that can withstand intense earthquake activity. ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS The recent surge in fuel prices has driven up the cost of fertilizers, feed and shipping,putting a big squeeze on the finances of our Big Island farmers and threatening to put many out of business. At the same time the rise in food prices underscores our need to grow more of our own food. Agriculture preserves open space and is an important economic driver in our state, generating about 14,000 jobs statewide and farm revenues that topped$576 million in 2005. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.