Congresswoman Hirono Announces $15.7 Million Investment to Restore and Protect Hawai‘i’s National Parks, Create Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C.—From Haleakala to Kalaupapa to Kaloko-Honokohau, the National Park Service will undertake $15,740,000 in improvement projects in Hawai‘i that will create jobs, restore and protect our islands’ national parks, and preserve our history and heritage for future generations, Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) announced today. Of that funding, $9,757,000 will be utilized in Hawai‘i’s 2nd Congressional District.
The projects are a part of the $750 million investment in our national park system under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
All of the projects announced today are long-standing priorities of the National Park Service based on its capital planning process. Deemed by stakeholders as critical, the park service worked through a rigorous merit-based process to identify investments that met the criteria put forth in the Recovery Act: namely, that a project addresses the Department’s highest priority mission needs, generates the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time, and creates lasting value for the American public.
The Hawai‘i projects are as follows:
- $1,338,000 to repair and replace fences throughout Haleakala National Park on Maui, as well as repair flashflood damage to the Pipiwai trail and remove debris.
- $7,802,000 to demolish and replace existing dilapidated visitor contact station to support visitor services at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and to rehabilitate Halemaumau Trail from Iliahi Trail to Crater Rim Trail. Funds will also be used to replace boundary and pig fencing as well as resurface rainshed roads.
- $536,000 to rehabilitate Paschoal Hall at the Kalaupapa National Park.
- $20,000 to grade and re-gravel of 2 miles of unpaved roads at Kaloko-Honokohau National Park.
- $61,000 to repair flood damage to historic Ki‘ilae Archaeological Village, 1871 Trail and fence line at Pu‘uhonua o Hônaunau National Park.
- $5,983,000 to construct an intermodal transfer station at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
For a full list of National Parks projects, please visit www.interior.gov/recovery. The website includes an interactive map that enables the public also to follow where and how the department’s recovery dollars are being spent.
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