Gov. Ige releases $143M in funding for Hawaiʻi public schools

Gov. David Ige announced this week the release of $143 million in funding for capital improvement projects (CIPs) at Hawaiʻi public schools, including money for new PE locker rooms, gymnasium, and music facilities at Farrington High on Oʻahu and a theater and new playcourts at schools on Maui.

The following education projects are included in the latest round of funding:

• $58 million: Construction to provide Farrington High School on Oʻahu with new PE locker rooms, gymnasium, band, orchestra and choral rooms, fitness and weight training facilities, and four general classrooms.
• $19 million: Design and construction funds for a replacement music building with a band room and a chorus room at Roosevelt High School on Oʻahu.
• $15 million: Design and construction for a new black box theater at King Kekaulike High School on Maui.
• $932,000: Design and construction for school improvements at Kōloa Elementary School on Kauaʻi.
• $900,000: Construction to repair and resurface the playcourt at Lahaina Intermediate School on Maui.
• $2.3 million: Construction for various repair and maintenance needs at ʻEwa Elementary School on Oʻahu.
• $2 million: Land acquisition to expand Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino campus on Hawaiʻi Island and design and construction funds to initiate improvements that may include site work and fencing or a new portable classroom.
• $3 million: Design and construction to support ongoing and planned ADA and gender equity improvement projects.
• $2 million: Land acquisition, design, and construction funds to acquire about half an acre of land with a building and to make the necessary improvements for an alternative learning program at Papahana ʻO Kaiona on Oʻahu.
• $1.5 million: Construction to support projects that improve, expand, or build new instructional spaces for special education on various campuses. The majority of the funds will be used for the major renovation of the boys’ and girls’ dorm buildings at the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and Blind on Oʻahu.
• $38 million: Additional design, construction, and equipment funds needed to complete various ongoing Hawaiʻi State Department of Education projects statewide.

The governor released the funds in September and October, and the money is included in the $392 million in funding released for statewide departments.

“These projects support the priorities I’ve advocated for over the past eight years, including affordable housing, education, environmental protection and essential infrastructure for our communities statewide,” Ige said. “It’s been gratifying to partner with the Legislature to provide improved facilities where they’re needed the most.”