Council amends capital improvement program; adds funding for Waikoloa road study, pool repairs and Puako sewer planning

The Hawaii County Council on May 22 amended Bill 32, the county's capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal 2025'26, and adopted the measure on first reading with several member-proposed additions.

The amended capital budget (Bill 32 Draft 2 as amended) increases total appropriation and adds specific community projects. The administration's draft listed 84 projects and identified proposed funding sources including bonds, federal and state grants and other funds. During the council session members moved and the council adopted multiple amendments to add or reappropriate funds for projects identified by community members and council districts.

Why it matters: The capital improvement budget sets the county's planned multi-year capital spending. The council approved money to begin engineering and environmental work on alternate emergency access in Waikoloa Village after extensive public testimony from Waikoloa residents who said a second road is needed to reduce wildfire evacuation risks. The council also reallocated lapsed CIP funds for park improvements and pool repairs in Kohala and for a pilot revolving fund to support community-led cesspool closures in Puako.

Waikoloa…