Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016

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approximately 1.51 million, with an approximately 4.3 percent increase from the previous year's count of 1.45 million. For the most part, the County is less dependent on tourism than the other islands in the State, but the Kona airport terminal modernization project is budgeted at $60-70 million. Construction — According to the May 20, 2016 forecast from The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii, the neighbor islands are seeing resort development and the beginning of an increase in residential activity, though it will be to a lesser extent than in the past. The organization anticipates that all islands in the state will experience "high single -digit or low double-digit construction job growth this year. Several large construction projects and exciting changes are in store for the citizens on each side of the island. In addition to the Kona airport construction, a new airport fire station of about $20 million is slated for Hilo, and there is also much single-family residential construction activity planned for the Hilo side including the 56 lots of Hilo Hillside Estates, 37 lots of Punahou Mauka Estates, 19 lots of Lake View Estates and a 49 lot subdivision being developed on land below the Hilo Municipal Golf Course. Major Initiatives For the Year Public Safety — One of the top priorities for the Police Department remains the securing of funding for the South Kona Police Station along with planning for a new station in the Puna District. The Police Department has begun the process of testing the recently procured Records Management System (RMS) to better serve the community and hopes to begin testing the integrated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The Fire Department pioneered the establishment of the Community Paramedicine (CP) Program in the State of Hawaii, with the objective of identifying senior citizens (60+ years of age) on Hawaii Island who are vulnerable, at risk, and in need of improved health care and overall support. Once identified from a preventative health care approach, the Department's CPs ensure that their home environment is safe and attempt to connect these individuals with health care services and support to improve their overall quality of life. Public Works — A few of the major construction projects for the Department of Public Works included a $14.1 million project to extend Kapi`olani Street, with the inclusion of marked bicycle and pedestrian routes including ADA compliant sidewalks spanning over a mile long; a $30 million Mamalahoa Highway Bypass Road and Napb'opo`o Road Intersection Improvement project, which included two travel lanes, paved shoulders, traffic signals, driveway tie-ins, water utilities and drainage improvements; and a $17 million Ka`iminani Drive Improvement Project, which included driveway tie-ins, the building of retaining walls, and the adjustment of underground utilities, drainage, new signage and safety improvements. -3-