KAHULUI Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released more than $17.9 million in funding for state capital improvement projects on Maui.
Those include more than $8.1 million for renovation, upgrade and expansion projects at Maui Memorial Medical Center.
"As elements of the federal Affordable Care Act are implemented, it is important that we continue to invest in health care infrastructure throughout our state to ensure that facilities are ready to provide access to quality health care for all the people of Hawaii," Abercrombie said in an announcement. "Since I took office in 2011, my administration has released more than $83.8 million exclusively for capital improvement projects on Maui, including these newly released funds. These projects are creating job opportunities now and will benefit the community for years to come."
A breakdown of funding for Maui Memorial included the following projects:
* $3.5 million to design, construct, equip and provide required works of art as part of an elevator replacement project to comply with current National Fire Protection Association and life safety and building codes.
* $1.8 million to make renovations and expand the hospital's laboratory, pharmacy and imaging departments, which will take up part of the medical center's old courtyard area.
* $900,000 to do plumbing work, including replacing piping, insulation, bathroom fixtures and valves, and repairs to walls, floor drain lines and piping supports.
* $800,000 to replace the hospital's air conditioning system, focusing on the information technology server room, patient treatment areas and the laundry department.
* $700,000 to replace approximately 50 patient beds, which are 16 to 20 years old, six to eight years beyond the typical life of such a bed.
* $475,000 to replace the laundry equipment, as well as electrical and plumbing upgrades to accommodate the new equipment.
Other capital improvement projects were listed as:
* $4.5 million, University of Hawaii Maui College, renovating the existing Science Building to house the Allied Health programs that currently rent off-campus spaces and to upgrade air conditioning, electrical systems, vents and roofing. (Allied Health programs include community health, nursing, dental hygiene, and oral health.)
* $2 million, Honoapiilani Highway, to restore and implement environmental controls for runoff in the vicinity of Launiupoko where makai portions of the highway have been undermined by the pounding of waves.
* $1.8 million, David Malo Circle public housing, Lahaina, to design and construct exterior improvements and do site work, including re-roofing buildings, installing new exterior siding, painting, parking lot repaving and sidewalk renovations.
* $1.2 million, Hana Highway, to improve runoff and drainage in the vicinity of Hoolawa Bridge.
* $285,000, Wailuku Public Library, to replace clay roofing tile and make other roof repairs.
