State Releases Much-needed Construction Funds

Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz

I am pleased to share the following district information with you:

Agriculture

My office received a communication from the governor informing us that he is releasing funds for the several projects in Central Oahu that will have an important impact on the success of the Whitmore Plan.

This is another component of the Whitmore Plan that is needed to support those farmers who will be cultivating crops on the Galbraith lands the state recently acquired.

The state released $3.5 million for the State Packing and Processing Facility, which is expected to be located on a 24-acre parcel in Whitmore Village on lands currently owned by the Castle & Cooke Company. Last year, the state finalized the sale of 1,700-plus acres of prime farm land known as the Galbraith Estate. With the government moving closer to finalizing the transaction to add another 24 acres, the infrastructure and warehouse facilities currently on these lands will assist farmers with storage, processing and packaging, and will be another step to having the Whitmore Plan implemented.

Housing Fixes

The governor also released funding to pay for the design and construction of weatherproofing and painting of Wahiawa Terrace. Wahiawa Terrace is a Federal Housing Administration-approved affordable condominium that was built between 1950 and 1959.

Education

We also were informed by the state Department of Education that the $828,600 contract for certain repairs at Leilehua High School has been awarded and the project should be initiated shortly. Work will consist of reroofing Buildings S, FF, L, Y, and carpentry repairs for Building Y.

I was pleased to recognize in the Senate Chamber the Leilehua High School Cyberpatriots, which won the top U.S.

Army Service Award at CyberPatriot V, the nation’s premier high school cyber defense competition in Washington, D.C. More than 800 teams from all 50 states competed.

The Leilehua High School Army JROTC Cyberpatriot team won this award for the second consecutive year. Team members are Sharon Thepsenavong, Michael Grajales, David Williams, Seth Allen and Kawika Lavarias, with coach Lt. Col. (Ret.) Nicholas J. Spiridigliozzi.

Contact state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz at 586-6090, by fax at 586-6091, or by emailing sendelacruz@ capitol.hawaii.gov.